India Strengthens Energy Security Amid Global Crisis, Says Hardeep Singh Puri at Vibrant Gujarat Conference

India continues to demonstrate resilience in the face of global energy challenges, with Union Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri highlighting the country’s proactive measures to safeguard energy needs during geopolitical disruptions. Addressing the gathering at the Vibrant Gujarat Regional Conference, Puri emphasized that under the leadership of Narendra Modi, India has made significant strides toward achieving energy security while navigating global crises. He noted that India has diversified its crude oil import sources, expanding from 27 to 40 suppliers, thereby reducing dependency risks and enhancing supply stability. The minister also revealed that orders were issued to maximize LPG production at refineries, boosting output by nearly 60%—from 36,000 metric tonnes per day to 54,000 metric tonnes per day. Additionally, priority allocation in natural gas ensured that domestic markets remained stable and adequately supplied. A key highlight was Operation Urja Suraksha, a coordinated national response involving public and private stakeholders, ministries, state governments, and international suppliers to ensure uninterrupted energy flow. Puri further stated that during periods of sharp crude price hikes, oil marketing companies absorbed under-recoveries to shield consumers from price shocks. This helped sustain affordability and protect household budgets. Ensuring energy access at the grassroots level, the government maintained LPG supply to nearly 33 crore households, keeping kitchens running across the country. He added that commercial LPG prices have now dropped to nearly 70% of pre-crisis levels, with priority support extended to labour-intensive industries such as steel, automobiles, textiles, chemicals, dyeing, and plastics. The address underscored India’s strategic preparedness and long-term vision in building a robust and resilient energy ecosystem amid evolving global uncertainties.