PM Modi’s big statement on energy security: India safe amid Middle East crisis; Now oil is coming from 41 countries not 27

New Delhi: Amidst the deepening tension in the Middle East and global instability, Prime Minister Narendra Modi assured the country about India’s energy security in the Lok Sabha on Monday. PM Modi informed the House that today India is fully prepared to face any global crisis due to the strategic changes made by the government in the last decade and the policy of ‘Diversification’. He said that instead of limiting its dependence on any one region, India has expanded the scope of imports globally.

Historic expansion in import sources: supplier countries increased from 27 to 41

The Prime Minister said in his address that in the last 11 years, India has opened new avenues for its energy needs (Crude Oil, LNG, LPG). He said, “There was a time when India was dependent on only 27 countries for its energy needs, but today with the efforts of our government, India is importing energy from 41 countries.” This diversity has not only strengthened the supply chain but also reduced the risks for India in the event of war or tension in a particular region.

‘Armor’ worth 53 lakh metric tons ready for times of crisis

Discussing the Strategic Petroleum Reserve, PM Modi said that the country currently has reserves of more than 53 lakh metric tonnes of crude oil. This reserve will act as a ‘buffer’ to keep the country’s energy consumption smooth in case of any emergency. Apart from this, the government is working rapidly on developing additional storage capacity of 65 lakh metric tonnes. The special thing is that it does not include private reserves of oil companies, due to which the actual backup becomes even stronger.

Close watch on sea routes, Indian ships reach safely

The government is keeping a close eye on sensitive sea routes like the Middle East and the Red Sea. PM Modi said that due to continuous communication with global partners, many Indian ships stranded in tense areas like the Strait of Hormuz have reached home safely. The government is ensuring that there is no disruption in the supply of essential commodities like oil, gas and fertilizers and that India remains connected with international suppliers.

Saving billions from ethanol blending and step towards self-reliance

Giving information on alternative sources of energy, PM Modi said that ethanol blending in petrol has now increased from 1.5% to 20%. This revolutionary change has reduced India’s need to import approximately 45 million barrels of crude oil annually, resulting in huge savings in foreign exchange. Also, electrification of railways has reduced diesel consumption by 180 crore liters every year, which is a major milestone towards a self-reliant India.