Business 04 Jun, 2026

India has potential to become energy exporter: Gadkari

Business To Business, New Delhi, 4^th June, 2026:  Nitin Gadkari on Thursday said India has the potential to transform from an energy-importing country into an energy exporter, citing advances in alternative fuels and changing global energy dynamics.
Speaking at the launch of India’s first flex-fuel car by Maruti Suzuki India, Gadkari highlighted the country's growing capabilities in:

• Ethanol-based fuels
• Green hydrogen
• Sustainable aviation fuel (SAF)
• Other clean-energy technologies

Concern over fuel imports
Gadkari noted that India's dependence on fossil fuels remains a major economic challenge, stating that the country spends around ₹22 lakh crore annually on fuel imports.
According to him, this dependence creates:

• A significant burden on the economy
• Exposure to global geopolitical and energy-market disruptions
• Environmental concerns linked to fossil-fuel consumption

Push for alternative fuels
The minister emphasized that wider adoption of clean and domestically produced fuels could:

• Reduce import dependence
• Improve energy security
• Lower carbon emissions
• Create new economic opportunities for farmers and industry

He linked this opportunity to India's ethanol-blending programme, hydrogen initiatives, and efforts to develop sustainable aviation fuel, arguing that these sectors could eventually position India as a supplier of clean energy solutions.
Strategic context
Gadkari's remarks come amid heightened volatility in global energy markets due to tensions in West Asia, which have renewed concerns about oil supply disruptions and fuel-price fluctuations.
The launch of flex-fuel vehicles—capable of running on high ethanol blends—is viewed as part of India's broader strategy to diversify its energy mix and reduce reliance on imported crude oil.
The government's long-term objective is to increase the share of renewable and alternative fuels in transportation and industry, supporting both economic resilience and environmental sustainability.