Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said India successfully overcame what he described as the “biggest energy crisis of the 21st century” through decisive leadership, timely policy interventions, and strategic diplomacy. Addressing a public gathering in Rajasthan after dedicating the Rajasthan Refinery to the nation, the Prime Minister said the country’s preparedness and determination ensured uninterrupted fuel supplies despite severe global disruptions triggered by the conflict in West Asia.
He asserted that India’s response to the crisis reflected the strength of a self-reliant nation capable of protecting its citizens even during extraordinary global challenges.
“New India Took the Right Decisions at Every Level”
Emphasizing the government’s approach to crisis management, the Prime Minister said India’s success was the result of careful planning and swift action.
“Against the biggest energy crisis of the 21st century, the willpower and efforts of New India prevailed. India took the right decisions at every level, assessed the crisis in time, devised effective strategies, used resources in a balanced way, and positively leveraged its diplomatic power. That is how India overcame the crisis,” the Prime Minister said.
He noted that while several countries struggled with shortages of fuel and rising energy costs, India remained focused on ensuring stability through coordinated action across multiple sectors.
Global Conflict Created an Unprecedented Energy Challenge
The Prime Minister Modi said the conflict in West Asia severely affected global energy markets, disrupting supply chains and pushing crude oil prices to significantly higher levels. According to him, many countries witnessed fuel shortages, price spikes, and even rationing of petroleum products.
Despite the difficult international situation, he said India avoided large-scale disruptions by acting well before the crisis reached its peak.
“While some forces were busy spreading rumours and fear, work was being carried out silently day and night. Patience, planning, and policy decisions made the difference,” he said.
Refineries Increased LPG Production During the Crisis
Highlighting the importance of domestic refining capacity, the Prime Minister said India’s refineries played a crucial role in maintaining the supply of cooking gas.
He explained that industrial-use gas production was diverted to manufacture Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), allowing the country to increase domestic production within days. Refineries that had never produced LPG earlier were modified to support emergency production.
According to the Prime Minister, these steps ensured that households across the country continued receiving cooking gas despite disruptions in international supply routes.
Government Shielded Citizens from Rising Fuel Prices
The Prime Minister said the government worked to prevent the burden of rising global energy prices from falling on ordinary citizens.
He stated that although international conditions could have pushed domestic LPG cylinder prices close to ₹2,000, government intervention helped keep prices significantly lower. He also referred to continued subsidies provided under the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana for eligible beneficiaries.
Speaking about petrol and diesel, he said the government reduced excise duty while oil marketing companies absorbed substantial financial losses to maintain stable supplies across the country.
“Rumours were spread, politics was played, but those with wrong intentions did not succeed. India ensured that people did not face a major fuel supply crisis,” the Prime Minister said.
Also Read: Badrinath-Kedarnath: BKTC Initiates Investigation Into Alleged Misuse Of Devotee Offerings
Diplomatic Relations Helped Expand Fuel Supplies
Prime Minister Modi credited India’s diplomatic outreach for strengthening the country’s energy security during the crisis.
He said India expanded its network of fuel suppliers, increasing imports from more than 40 countries instead of relying on a limited number of traditional sources.
“India sent a clear message to the world that national interest and the welfare of our citizens are our highest priorities,” he said.
He added that strong international partnerships enabled India to diversify its energy imports and reduce the impact of disruptions in any one region.
Long-Term Investments Strengthened India’s Energy Security
The Prime Minister said India’s ability to withstand the crisis was built on years of investment in refining infrastructure and energy capacity.
Referring to the Rajasthan Refinery, he said the project represented the government’s long-term vision for strengthening India’s energy ecosystem and reducing dependence on external uncertainties.
He observed that while refinery expansion had slowed in several developed economies, India continued to increase its refining capacity and had emerged as one of the world’s leading refining nations.
“The projects whose foundation we lay are the projects we complete. This refinery is an example of that commitment,” he said.
Energy Security Linked to Self-Reliant India
The Prime Minister said energy security is an essential pillar of India’s journey towards becoming a developed and self-reliant nation.
He noted that investments in refineries, renewable energy, airports, metro networks, and other infrastructure projects not only strengthen national resilience but also create employment opportunities and promote economic growth.
He also highlighted Rajasthan’s growing contribution to solar energy and clean power generation, saying the state is playing an important role in India’s transition towards sustainable energy.
PM Thanks Citizens for Trust and Cooperation
Concluding his address, Prime Minister Modi thanked the people of India for maintaining confidence during the global crisis and not allowing fear or misinformation to weaken the country’s resolve.
“The nation overcame this unexpected challenge because of the trust, patience and unity of 1.4 billion Indians. Together, we proved that even the biggest global crisis can be overcome through determination and collective effort,” he said.
The Prime Minister said India’s experience during the global energy crisis demonstrated that decisive leadership, strong institutions, strategic diplomacy, and public cooperation remain key to protecting the country’s interests during times of international uncertainty.
Click here to join us on WhatsApp Channel and get all the latest news updates
