India Expanded Energy Import Base from 27 to 41 Countries, says PM Modi

PM Narendra Modi has said govt was making all efforts to ensure uninterrupted supply of petrol, diesel, gas and fertilizers, and protect people from hardships amid the ongoing conflict in West Asia and disruption of the critical Strait of Hormuz trade route.

Addressing the Lok Sabha, Modi said steps taken over the past 10 years to diversify energy sources – along with 20 per cent ethanol blending in petrol, nearly 100 per cent railway electrification and Metro rail expansion – have helped save large volumes of petrol and diesel.

Modi said India has expanded its energy import base from 27 to 41 countries, reducing dependence on any single region. He added India currently has a strategic petroleum reserve of over 5.3 million tonne, with another 6.5 million tonne under development. "Over the past 11 years, there has been a remarkable increase in our refining capacity as well," he said. India is the third largest energy consumer and fourth largest oil refiner.