By expanding crude sourcing, India ready to handle disruptions | India News – The Times of India

NEW DELHI: India today is in a far stronger position to handle disruptions in global energy markets than it was a decade ago, officials said on Sunday. While Strait of Hormuz remains an important chokepoint, India can reroute vess-els and shift strategy to other energy-exporting countries. In a world of increasingly uncertain supply chains, a wider and more diverse base of energy sources and partnerships has become an important safeguard for the country’s energy security. India used to import 55% of its crude from non-Hormuz routes before the military conflict began in West Asia a fortnight ago. Officials said the share has increased to 70%. India has also tapped additional countries to source natural gas and liquefied petroleum gas, and cargoes through non-Hormuz routes have also started arriving. India imports nearly half of its natural gas requirement and about 60% of LPG. “By expanding domestic production, managing the tr-ansition to new energy sources and diversifying supply sources, Modi govt has redu-ced the country’s vulnerability to external shocks to its energy needs,” said an official. Officials said govt pursued a policy of multi-alignment, enabling India to cultivate deeper relationships with multiple states to advance its interests. This diplomatic outreach has expanded India’s crude sourcing base from 27 countries a decade ago to more than 40 today. Another major factor reducing vulnerability to energy imports is the 20% ethanol blending programme, which displaces 44 million barrels of crude oil annually. Govt also backed the development of the electric vehicle industry. EV registrations in 2023-24 increased nearly tenfold compared with 2019-20. In 2025-26, EV sales reached 2.3 million units, accounting for about 8% of total vehicle registrations.