India is preparing to auction approximately 250,000 square kilometres of unexplored territory for oil exploration, a significant expansion of its domestic upstream ambitions.
The petroleum minister confirmed the move, stating the country is currently in the process of bidding out the areas to boost local production capacity.
The decision comes as India, the world’s third-largest oil importer, seeks to mitigate vulnerabilities exposed by the recent Middle East war.
The conflict triggered what officials describe as the largest energy supply shock in decades, disrupting traditional import flows and highlighting the strategic risks of heavy reliance on foreign crude.
By expanding domestic exploration, New Delhi aims to diversify its supply base and reduce exposure to geopolitical volatility in key shipping lanes.
This push for energy security aligns with recent data showing India’s strategic crude oil reserves have rebounded to near-full capacity.