India Navigated Energy Supply Disruptions Through Diversification & Preparedness: Hardeep Puri

New Delhi, September 28 - Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Hardeep Singh Puri revealed India's ability to overcome recent supply-chain disruptions during a speech to members of the Merchants' Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Puri emphasized that energy security is about more than just securing supplies; it is also about navigating conflicts, chokepoints, volatile prices, and sudden disruptions without hindering the country's economy.

India's energy security efforts have been successful due to the sector's comprehensive preparation over the past decade. The minister outlined several key achievements: diversifying crude sourcing from 27 countries to 41, building 5.33 million metric tons of strategic reserves, raising refining capacity from 215 MMTPA to 267 MMTPA, expanding fuel outlets from approximately 52,000 to over 100,000, and increasing LPG import terminals from 11 to 22.

Thanks to these measures, while many parts of the world experienced energy emergencies and price shocks, Indian petrol pumps remained supplied, LPG cylinders continued to reach households, and retail fuel prices remained contained. Puri highlighted that the success of India's energy diplomacy under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership was evident in the country's ability to maintain steady energy imports despite geopolitical crises.