India's Energy Reserves: A Wake-Up Call for Strategic Security

A new report from the Council on Energy, Environment and Water reveals that India's strategic petroleum reserves can only sustain the country for 9-10 days of crude oil imports, significantly lower than other major importers. The report emphasizes the risks associated with India's reliance on a limited number of oil suppliers and the need for a transition to clean energy. It also highlights the vulnerabilities in gas supply and coal security, urging a comprehensive strategy for energy independence. Discover the implications of these findings for India's energy future.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jun 17, 2026, 16:01 IST

India's Petroleum Reserves Under Scrutiny

New Delhi: A recent report has highlighted that India's strategic petroleum reserves can only cover approximately 9 to 10 days of the nation's crude oil imports, a stark contrast to other major importing nations.

The Council on Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW) published this report, indicating that countries like Japan and South Korea maintain reserves that can last over 200 days.

The document titled 'How Secure is India’s Energy Future? Assessing Accessibility, Reliability, and Affordability' pointed out that over 85% of India's crude oil imports are sourced from just six nations, including Russia and several key suppliers from West Asia, which limits the country's ability to respond to supply disruptions.

Hemant Mallya, a fellow at CEEW, remarked, "Disruptions in crude oil, LNG, LPG, coal, or critical shipping routes can swiftly impact cooking costs, fuel prices, fertilizer subsidies, industrial competitiveness, and inflation."

India relies on LNG for nearly half of its gas supply but lacks dedicated strategic gas storage, leaving its fertilizer plants and city gas networks vulnerable, according to the report.

The report also pointed out that India's coal security is increasingly at risk due to its reliance on imported coking coal, especially from Australia, and its exposure to Indonesian policies regarding non-coking coal imports.

Domestically, the decline in coal quality and rising production costs are diminishing the cost advantage of coal power compared to stable renewable energy sources.

The report advocates for a shift towards clean energy to lessen India's dependence on imported fossil fuels.

However, it warns that this transition could create a new form of strategic reliance on essential minerals, technologies, and industrial inputs.

To manage this dependence, the report suggests enhancing domestic manufacturing, diversifying supply chains, recycling, and forming strategic international partnerships.

Mallya concluded, "India's next phase of energy security should focus on more than just securing fossil fuels; it needs a clear transition strategy that includes optimizing gas system use, avoiding unnecessary refinery expansions, promoting electric vehicle adoption, electrifying industries, reconfiguring refineries for reduced gasoline demand, and establishing resilient green technology supply chains."