PM Modi Cites Sea Route Risks and Urges Push for Energy Self-Reliance
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has warned that the weaponisation of essential resources and key maritime passages by foreign powers poses serious threats to India’s economic security, urging a nationwide drive toward domestic energy self-reliance.
What Happened
Addressing the nation from the ramparts of the Red Fort during the 80th Independence Day celebrations on August 15, 2026, Prime Minister Modi pointed out that resources extending from fuel and medicines to technology are increasingly deployed as tools of geopolitical coercion. Without naming specific nations, he noted that vital maritime transit corridors are also facing weaponisation.
His remarks follow severe shipping disruptions along the Strait of Hormuz triggered by the conflict involving the United States, Israel, and Iran. According to International Energy Agency data, this passage carried roughly 20 million barrels per day of petroleum products in 2025—about a quarter of global seaborne oil trade—and nearly 20% of global liquefied natural gas (LNG) commerce. Renewed tanker attacks have caused major drops in traffic while increasing maritime transport and fuel costs.
Key Highlights
- Strategic Sea Route Exposure: In 2025, India sourced nearly half of its crude oil transiting the Strait of Hormuz and roughly two-thirds of its LNG imports via this waterway.
- Import Reliance: India currently imports nearly 90% of its crude oil needs and roughly 50% of its natural gas consumption.
- Import Bill: In 2024-25, crude oil imports stood at approximately $137 billion, while petroleum products and LNG accounted for $24 billion and $15 billion respectively.
- Supply Diversification: India has widened its crude oil sourcing to 41 nations (up from 27) and LNG sourcing to 15 nations (up from six), securing alternative deliveries from Oman, the United States, Nigeria, and Angola.
- Offshore Exploration Drive: The government approved the ₹84,084-crore Samudra Manthan National Offshore Exploration Scheme to accelerate deepwater and ultra-deepwater oil and gas operations over the next five years.
- Basin Access: The government has opened 99% of India’s sedimentary basins for exploration and commercial production.
- Clean Energy and Gas Expansion: Solar power capacity increased to 160 gigawatts from 2 gigawatts a decade ago, while piped cooking gas connections grew from 22 lakh across 70 cities in 2014 to 1.75 crore households across 700 cities.
Why This Matters
India’s heavy reliance on imported energy leaves the domestic economy exposed to external geopolitical crises, shipping blockages, and global price volatility. Disruptions along narrow bottlenecks like the Strait of Hormuz force refiners to rapidly find alternative suppliers, adding shipping expenses. By opening nearly all sedimentary basins and investing heavily in offshore exploration, critical minerals, solar power, and nuclear energy, the government aims to insulate the country from international supply shocks and strengthen its Atmanirbhar Bharat framework.
What to Watch Next
Over the next five years, the rollout of the ₹84,084-crore Samudra Manthan scheme will guide deepwater seismic surveys, exploratory drilling, and offshore infrastructure development. Officials are also looking to attract fresh investment and technology into previously restricted sedimentary basins while continuing efforts to diversify energy imports across international markets.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the Strait of Hormuz critical to India’s energy supply?
The Strait of Hormuz is a primary corridor for Asian energy imports. According to the International Energy Agency, India received nearly half of its crude oil passing through the strait in 2025 and about two-thirds of its imported LNG through the route.
What is the Samudra Manthan National Offshore Exploration Scheme?
It is an approved ₹84,084-crore programme designed to speed up deepwater and ultra-deepwater oil and gas exploration across India over a five-year period through exploratory drilling, seismic surveys, and shared infrastructure.
How has India diversified its energy imports?
To reduce dependence on single supply corridors, India has expanded its crude oil suppliers from 27 to 41 countries and its LNG sources from six to 15 countries, adding alternative shipments from partners such as Oman, Nigeria, Angola, and the United States.
Source: Based on reporting from The Hindu.