The head of India’s state-run Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) has urged the country to urgently ramp up domestic oil exploration and diversify its energy sources, warning that growing geopolitical instability is reshaping global energy security.
Speaking at an energy sector event, ONGC Chairman and CEO Arun Kumar Singh said India can no longer assume that oil supplies from West Asia will remain stable or reliable. He pointed to recent disruptions in global supply chains and tensions in key shipping routes as a wake-up call for India’s energy strategy.
He stressed that India must “explore oil at any cost,” arguing that domestic production is no longer just an economic choice but a national security priority. According to him, unpredictable global conflicts—especially in the Middle East—have exposed the risks of depending heavily on imports for crude oil, natural gas, and LPG.
Singh warned that the global energy landscape is becoming increasingly uncertain, with supply shocks likely to occur more frequently. He said India should prepare for these disruptions by expanding exploration efforts, investing in infrastructure, and strengthening strategic oil reserves.
Alongside boosting domestic production, he also emphasized the need for diversification. This includes expanding energy sources beyond traditional oil imports, increasing gas availability, and improving storage capacity to cushion against sudden global price or supply spikes.
The ONGC chief also highlighted India’s heavy reliance on West Asia for energy needs, noting that a significant share of crude oil and gas imports comes from the region. He said this dependence creates vulnerabilities during times of conflict or geopolitical tension, making diversification essential.
His remarks come at a time when global energy markets are facing volatility due to ongoing tensions in West Asia, which have disrupted shipping routes and pushed up crude oil prices.
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