India’s Quest for Energy Security: Understanding the Trends and Challenges

Abstract

India’s energy security is intricately linked to economic and population growth, accessibility, availability, affordability, and supply and demand. India’s quest for energy security is going slow and after a late start. India embraced various domestic efforts and has drawn up supplier relationships around the globe in coal, oil, gas, nuclear, hydroelectric power, and renewable energy. It appears India is not likely to be fully independent of external sources of supply for its energy requirements in the short-term and medium-term. There is no major technological breakthrough in alternative energy to free the country from its energy predicament, thus, India needs to adopt multi-dimensional strategic energy security approaches. In the absence of major oil and gas reserves in Indian territory, the country may be forced down a perilous path that includes a massive increase in the use of coal, associated with environmental concerns, and increasing dependence on external sources. The key focus of the study is to examine the key concerns, trends, challenges, and various options available to India to face the challenges in energy security.