India is preparing to auction approximately 250,000 square kilometres of unexplored territory for crude oil exploration, a significant expansion of its domestic energy search efforts.
The move targets vast offshore areas bordering Thailand and Indonesia, marking a strategic pivot for the world's third-largest oil importer.
The decision comes as the country faces what officials describe as the biggest energy supply shock in decades, driven by the ongoing war in the Middle East.
With import-dependent economies under severe pressure, New Delhi is accelerating its domestic exploration agenda to mitigate exposure to volatile global shipping routes and geopolitical instability.
Multiple wire services, including Dawn Business and SCMP, have confirmed the scope of the upcoming auctions.
The expansion represents a tangible policy response to the supply constraints that have kept Brent crude prices elevated and freight rates volatile.