Amid the fog of war perpetrated through Epic Fury, Lions Roar and
Operation Promise IV governed by MAD syndrome among US-Israel and
Iran, have created unprecedented supply disruptions and blockades of
Sea Lanes of Communications (SLOCs) Hormuz etc apart from the
humanitarian disaster and geo-economic crisis etc apart from the humanitarian disaster and geo-economic crisis.
Increasing regional trust deficit will have severe and serious global disruptions consequences and impact- even if this war obviates the escalation trap, which appears unlikely.
The ongoing global energy crisis has evolved far beyond temporary
shocks. A perfect storm of geopolitical instability, supply chain
disruptions and market volatility is now testing the true resilience of
nations, the discipline of their strategies, and the clarity of their
leadership.
Already faced with record demand growth from expanding populations
and economies, governments around the world are being forced to
confront a fundamental truth: energy policy must prioritise realism over
rhetoric.
Nowhere is this more urgent than in India. Few countries match the scale and speed of its energy appetite, fuelled by relentless industrial growth rapid urbanisation, accelerating electrification, and millions joining the middle class. Peak power demand soared to 250 GW in 2024-25, while India had the second-largest energy demand surge worldwide.
At the same time, power shortages shrank to a mere 0.1%, reflecting both
a significant improvement in access stability and a system pushed to its
limits. For a nation of India’s stature and momentum, reliable and
affordable energy is not an option, it is the bedrock of economic
competitiveness and inclusive development.
India’s answer starts with unflinching pragmatism and diversification
driven by dialogue, diplomacy , de-hyphenation and deescalation. In a
volatile landscape, the country has sought to secure supply and mitigate
price swings by deploying every proven resource at its disposal and by
keeping diplomatic channels.
Natural gas has been central to this approach, due largely to its
dispatchable power, industrial compatibility, and grid-stabilising role
amid rising loads. India’s LNG imports struck a record 26 million tonnes
in 2024, supplying over half its gas needs and cementing gas as a
cornerstone of economic reliability.
The priority is clear: fortify this supply with strategic infrastructure
development, long-term contracts, and diversified sourcing. After all,
policy ultimately succeeds or fails by one measure: lights on in factories,
power flowing to cities, bills manageable for families.
But to forge true resilience, India is also pairing pragmatism with
diversification, refusing to stake its future on any single fuel, source or
vulnerability. Non-fossil capacity hit 222.86 GW by February 2025,
propelled by breakneck renewable deployment that slashes import
dependence and arms operators with flexible tools.
Hydrogen has helped sharpen the edge further: 2024-25 incentives
unlocked 450,000 tonnes of annual renewable production, building
toward a 5 million tonne national target by 2030. These efforts have
helped built a more balanced energy mix for advanced manufacturing,
hardened security, and agility in fractured markets.
India’s strategy succeeds only through sustained investment in next-generation infrastructure that turns abundant capacity into reliable power. The country has committed $90 billion through 2030 to transmission networks, including 183 GW of inter- state lines and 55 GW of green energy corridors connecting solar – rich Rajasthan to high – demand Mumbai.
These investments complement 15 GW of battery storage tenders issued
in 2025 and cutting-edge LNG terminals like Jafrabad, featuring
advanced regasification technology and quick-ramp-up systems that
adapt to volatile gas markets. These strategic moves bolster India’s
immediate ability to deliver power where it is needed most, while laying
the foundation for future-proof energy systems that will sustain the
country’s upwards trajectory.
This is where global partnership becomes essential, and where platforms
such as
Gastech 2026 bring in real strategic value. At a time when energy
security, market stability, and investment mobilisation are inseparable,
Gastech continues to offer a forum where Indian stakeholders can
engage with partners, capital providers, technology leaders, and
policymakers from across the global energy landscape.
Unfolding in Bangkok from 14-17 September, this year’s event will centre
on the energy priorities of fast-growing Asian powers such as India,
driving project implementation and innovation to meet immediate
growth and security needs while ensuring system resilience in the long
term.
India has shown the world how a rising power navigates a crisis: not by
choosing between growth and clean energy, or domestic resolve and
global reach, but by engaging with all elements at once. Pragmatism secures today’s supply. Diversification builds tomorrow’s resilience.
Investment forges unbreakable systems. Platforms like Gastech deliver the partnerships that make it real. This integrated approach doesn’t just manage volatility, it turns into competitive advantage, ensuring India’s industries thrive, cities prosper and ambitions endure for decade ahead.
For India, energy is the engine for its quest for Viksit Bharat by 2047 and
every effort is made to alleviate the impact of the ongoing war but to
immunise it from future shocks and uncertainties through trusted and
secure partnerships and supply chains while enhancing R&D and usage
of alternate and renewable sources of energy.
Greater focus on collaborations and indigenisation under the Indian
landmark initiatives like the
International Solar Alliance (ISA) and Global
Biofuels Alliance (GBA) and Hydrogen Mission will go a long way in
achieving that.
About the Contributor
Anil Trigunayat , Former Indian Ambassador to Jordan, Libya, Malta and Distinguished Fellow and Head of the West Asia Experts Group at the prestigious Vivekananda International Foundation.
This article was first published in The ET Government as “Beyond MAD syndrome: India’s geopolitical strategy to secure energy amid Middle East Disruptions “on April 7, 2026.
Disclaimer: All views expressed in the article belong solely to the author and not necessarily to the organisation.
Read more at IMPRI:
Beyond LPG:Rethinking India’s Cooking Energy with Induction Technology
Elevating Coal Gasification in India’s Energy Security Framework
Acknowledgement: This article was posted by Anish Pujapanda , a Research and Editorial Intern at IMPRI
