By: ICN Bureau
Last updated : January 30, 2026 7:38 pm
The Union Minister also emphasised the government’s push on compressed biogas, green hydrogen, and indigenous clean-energy technologies, alongside continued investments in conventional fuels
India has demonstrated strong preparedness to navigate sustained geopolitical volatility in global energy markets and will continue to occupy centre stage in international energy discourse, Union Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas Hardeep Singh Puri said at the closing ceremony of India Energy Week (IEW) 2026.
Speaking during the closing fireside chat, Puri emphasised that India’s energy strategy is anchored in diversification, resilience and forward-looking transitions.
“We have coped very well with successive geopolitical shocks. Each challenge has been converted into an opportunity—through diversification of supply sources and a rapid transition towards cleaner fuels,” the Union Minister said.
Highlighting India’s global standing, Puri noted that the country is today the third-largest energy consumer, fourth-largest refiner and among the top exporters of petroleum products, “India will continue to ensure availability, affordability and sustainability of energy, even amid global uncertainty,” added Puri.
The Union Minister also emphasised the government’s push on compressed biogas (CBG), green hydrogen and indigenous clean-energy technologies, alongside continued investments in conventional fuels. “Traditional energy will remain essential, but the strides we are making—from ethanol blending to CBG, hydrogen and biofuels—give us confidence that greener fuels will play an expanding role,” he said.
Addressing concerns around consumer impact during global price shocks, the Minister said that India has successfully insulated its citizens from volatility.
“Global turmoil has never been passed on to the consumer. India today has among the lowest energy prices in the world, and uninterrupted supply has been maintained even during crises,” he said, citing timely interventions by oil marketing companies in ensuring fuel prices, including that of LPG, remained affordable to consumers.
Following the minister, Dr. Neeraj Mittal, Secretary, Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, presented the government’s blueprint to support India’s growth trajectory.
“With projected economic growth of over seven percent, energy demand will rise sharply. Our focus rests on two pillars: strengthening domestic exploration and production, and positioning India as a reliable supplier of refined products to the world,” the Secretary said.
Dr. Mittal outlined ambitious plans to accelerate upstream activity, including increased drilling and exploration to enhance self-reliance.
He also stressed on integration of refining and petrochemicals to maximise value addition and reduce imports. “We are building scale at home while remaining competitive globally,” he added.
On energy transition, Dr. Mittal highlighted the importance of technology and digitalisation. “From logistics optimisation to AI-driven efficiencies, technology is becoming central to lowering costs and improving operational resilience,” he noted. He added that India is well on track to meet its targets on CBG, with a goal of achieving 5 percent blending by 2030, supported by active state participation and farmer-led biomass supply chains.
The closing session reinforced India Energy Week 2026’s role as a platform that bridges energy security, affordability and sustainability, while positioning India as a steady, credible and pragmatic leader in a rapidly evolving global energy landscape.
India Energy Week (IEW) 2026 event was organised in Goa from 27th January to 30th January 2026.