Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday reiterated India’s commitment to becoming self-reliant in the energy sector, citing the country’s longstanding dependence on imported crude oil and gas. Speaking at a public event in Golaghat, Assam, he highlighted the economic implications of these imports and the government’s efforts to change the status quo.
“India has been dependent on foreign countries for oil and gas, spending lakhs of crores each year. This money contributes to employment and income abroad. It was necessary to change this situation, which is why we are working towards self-reliance in energy,” the Prime Minister said.
The remarks came as PM Modi inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for several projects in Assam worth thousands of crores. Among the key highlights was the inauguration of India’s first second-generation ethanol plant at Numaligarh Refinery Ltd (NRL), a bamboo-based bio-refinery that he had laid the foundation for on February 9, 2019.
The Rs 5,000 crore bioethanol plant, the first of its kind globally to use bamboo as feedstock, marks a significant step for Assam and the Northeast, regions known for abundant bamboo cultivation. The facility is a zero-waste plant, producing green industrial chemicals such as green furfural and green acetic acid, along with food-grade carbon dioxide and bio-coal. It also generates 25 MW of green electricity, supporting India’s net-zero goals.
Reflecting on India’s progress in ethanol blending, the Prime Minister noted that blending was just 1.53% in 2014. By 2022, India had reached 10% blending—five months ahead of target. The country’s 20% ethanol blending goal, originally set for 2030 and advanced to 2025, has already been achieved in the current ethanol supply year.
In his address, PM Modi also highlighted the launch of the National Deepwater Exploration Mission, aimed at tapping into potential oil and gas reserves in Indian oceans. He referred to the initiative as “Samudra Manthan,” first announced during his Independence Day speech from the Red Fort on August 15, 2025.
“Experts believe there are substantial reserves of oil and gas in our seas. The National Deepwater Exploration Mission will help uncover and utilize these resources for national development,” he said. He also pointed out that while India lagged behind in solar energy production a decade ago, it now ranks among the top five countries globally in this sector.
Calling Assam a key contributor to India’s energy security, Modi praised the state’s role in petroleum production and industrial development. “Assam strengthens India’s energy capabilities. Petroleum products from here play a vital role in the country’s progress. The BJP and NDA government are committed to taking Assam’s potential to new heights,” he added.
Concluding his address, the Prime Minister expressed gratitude for the warm reception he received during his two-day tour of the Northeast. “The affection I receive here, especially in Assam, is extraordinary. Today is an important milestone in the journey of a developed Assam and a developed India,” he said, noting that the state has received projects worth around ₹18,000 crore.
