2017 · GS Paper 2 · Q19 · 15 marks
The question of India's Energy Security constitutes the most important part of India's economic progress. Analyze India's energy policy cooperation with West Asian countries.
In short
India's energy policy towards West Asia has evolved from buying oil into a strategic partnership of long-term LNG contracts, equity stakes, strategic reserves and clean-energy plans, though sanctions and chokepoints remain risks. India imported about 88% of its crude oil in 2024-25, as per PPAC.
Model answer
Ghissu Editorial · Verified 4 Oct 2026 · 281 words
Assured supply
Iraq, Saudi Arabia and the UAE are major crude suppliers, and Qatar's LNG is secured by Petronet's 2024 deal running to 2048.
Equity and reserves
ONGC Videsh holds 10% of Abu Dhabi's Lower Zakum field (2018), and ADNOC stores crude in the Mangaluru strategic reserve.
Green transition
IMEC (2023) envisages clean-hydrogen pipelines, and India-UAE rupee-dirham settlement trims dollar exposure.
Sanctions exposure
India halted Iranian oil after May 2019 and lost the Farzad-B gas field in 2021.
Chokepoint risk
Red Sea attacks from late 2023 and the 2025 Israel-Iran hostilities exposed the Hormuz route.
Stalled projects
The Aramco-ADNOC Ratnagiri refinery remains stuck over land, and OPEC+ output cuts in 2023 kept prices high.
Diversify and store
Balance Gulf contracts with other suppliers and fill Phase II reserves at Chandikhol and Padur.
Hydrocarbons to hydrogen
Draw Gulf sovereign funds into Indian renewables, protected by naval cover such as Operation Sankalp.
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Question from the official UPSC Civil Services (Main) Examination 2017 paper. Answer written by Ghissu's engine and checked against our editorial standards. Found an error? Tell us and we correct it within 48 hours.