Gas from Mozambique to boost India’s energy security, says Hardeep Puri amid global volatility – Watch

Additional gas supplies from Mozambique will play an important role in strengthening India’s long-term energy security, Union Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Hardeep Singh Puri said, underlining the country’s resilience against disruptions in global oil and gas markets. Puri said India’s energy security strategy is increasingly supported by diversified sourcing beyond traditional Gulf suppliers, with Mozambique emerging as a key future contributor to the country’s gas needs. He expressed confidence that global supply shortages could be mitigated by producers outside the Gulf region and said additional gas volumes from Mozambique would “further strengthen India’s energy security”.

Speaking in an interview with CNN-News18, Puri said India is already working with multiple international partners to ensure stable energy inflows, with Mozambique’s gas potential fitting into a broader strategy aimed at expanding access to non-Gulf energy resources. At the same time, he reiterated that India’s current stock position provides a strong buffer against shocks, citing reserves equivalent to 76–80 days of consumption, including strategic petroleum reserves, refinery inventories and commercial stocks. Addressing concerns over potential disruptions to global supply chains, Puri said India could manage even a temporary closure of key maritime routes such as the Strait of Hormuz, though he cautioned that prolonged instability would have wider consequences for global markets.

“We all have domestic situations, we have stocks,” Puri said, adding that his preferred level of cover was around 60 days each of crude oil, natural gas and LPG. The minister said India has already activated diversified supply arrangements, including engagement with partners such as the United Arab Emirates to secure additional LPG cargoes when required. He also highlighted the expansion of India’s energy infrastructure, including increased refining capacity, higher LPG penetration and rising domestic exploration activity aimed at reducing external vulnerability.

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Puri noted that India operates 24 refineries and continues to expand capacity, while LPG connections have increased from about 14 crore in 2014 to more than 33 crore today. Despite global volatility, he maintained that India’s combination of strategic reserves, diversified imports and expanding domestic production capacity places the country in a strong position to manage short-term disruptions. However, he warned that prolonged conflict affecting global trade routes could have severe consequences for the world economy, even if India remains relatively insulated in the near term.

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