India’s Union Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas, Hardeep Singh Puri, reassured that the country shields its citizens from global economic fluctuations, maintaining stable consumer prices. Speaking at the ‘India Energy Week (IEW) 2026’ closing ceremony in Goa, Puri highlighted India’s resilience in managing geopolitical uncertainties in the global energy sector. He commended the nation for offering some of the world’s lowest energy prices and ensuring continuous energy supply, even during crises, through strategic interventions by oil marketing companies.
India’s focus on sustainable energy solutions was underscored by the minister, emphasizing the government’s commitment to promoting compressed biogas (CBG), green hydrogen, and indigenous clean-energy technologies alongside conventional fuel investments. Puri expressed confidence in the increasing role of eco-friendly fuels like ethanol blending, CBG, hydrogen, and biofuels in India’s energy landscape, while acknowledging the continued importance of traditional energy sources.
Dr. Neeraj Mittal, Secretary of the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, projected a significant surge in energy demand with India’s anticipated economic growth exceeding 7%. He outlined the government’s dual strategy of boosting domestic exploration and production to meet rising energy needs and positioning India as a reliable global supplier of refined products. Mittal detailed ambitious plans to enhance self-reliance through intensified upstream activities, including expanded drilling and exploration efforts.
Emphasizing the integration of refining and petrochemicals to enhance value addition and reduce imports, Dr. Mittal highlighted India’s efforts to scale up domestically while maintaining global competitiveness. He stressed the pivotal role of technology and digitalization in driving energy transition, citing their significance in optimizing logistics, enhancing operational efficiency, and reducing costs.
