India is accelerating its domestic crude oil exploration efforts, preparing to auction approximately 250,000 square kilometres of unexplored territory.
The move targets vast offshore areas bordering Thailand and Indonesia, specifically around the Andaman and Nicobar archipelago, as the nation seeks to mitigate reliance on volatile global markets.
The expansion comes as India faces what officials describe as the most severe energy supply shock in decades, triggered by the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
As the world's third-largest oil importer, New Delhi is under acute pressure to secure alternative supply routes and boost domestic production capacity to offset disruptions from traditional sources.
According to reports from SCMP and Dawn Business, India's petroleum minister confirmed the strategic pivot, emphasizing the need to unlock 'unexplored' reserves to bolster national energy security.
The government views this upstream expansion as a critical component of its broader response to the geopolitical instability that has constrained Middle Eastern exports.