India expands energy security focus toward Strategic Fuel System

India is shifting its focus toward a comprehensive Strategic Fuel System to bolster energy security following disruptions in West Asia. This approach expands beyond traditional Strategic Petroleum Reserves (SPR)—which focus on underground crude oil storage—to an integrated architecture. The proposed system aims to include natural gas, LPG, alternative fuels like ethanol and compressed biogas, and more resilient logistics networks including pipelines and ports.

GAIL Chairman Deepak Gupta noted during the company's 42nd Annual General Meeting that energy security has become as critical as the energy transition. He highlighted that geopolitical tensions, particularly in the Middle East and disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, have exposed vulnerabilities in global LNG supply chains. To mitigate these risks, Gupta emphasized the necessity of diversified sourcing, flexible supply chains, and strengthened infrastructure to manage volatility in prices and availability.