Letter from India: Fast-tracking a global all-energy approach
The thrum of the government’s comprehensive energy internationalism could be seen in the flurry of deals and partnerships at India Energy Week amid a mission to meet the economy’s insatiable appetite
India is fast becoming the world’s most important energy consumer. The emphatic and unapologetic message resonating from India Energy Week (IEW) in Delhi was that the government is creating the ideal conditions for companies to drill, pump, blow, burn and transform as many sources of energy as possible. The oil and gas sector is its beating heart. The world’s most populous nation is set to drive around 25% of global oil demand growth over the next two decades. The country already consumes more than 5.5m b/d of oil, and an expanding city-dwelling population will see that growth accelerate—especially in petrochemicals. India's refining capacity now stands at 256.8mt, making it the fourth-large
Also in this section
28 April 2026
Oil traders warning of $200/bl oil are wrong, and the market should be wary of proclamations that the impact of the oil shortage has only begun to be felt and a that a ‘harsh adjustment’ is coming—even for industrialised nations
28 April 2026
Restoring supply from Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain and Iraq involves complexities far beyond simply adjusting operational controls
28 April 2026
Datacentres will guzzle power at a ferocious rate, but the impact on wider energy markets will be far more complex than previously thought
28 April 2026
The key energy player faces balancing regional routes, political complexities, and creating a clear strategic vision for energy security






