Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi with expanding access to energy in India, saying more people gained access under his leadership than in any decade, region or country in human history.
“To give PM Modi credit, more people have been given access to energy in India under his reign that any decade, or any region or any country in all of human history,” Albanese said at an Asia Society Policy Institute event.
Albanese also pointed to the close relationship between India and Australia, describing Modi as a leader with whom Australia has developed strong ties.
“He is someone who we have a strong relationship with,” he said.
India diversifies energy imports
The comments come as energy security remains a major concern amid disruptions to shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. India has sought to reduce its dependence on any single source by widening its energy import network.
Addressing Parliament earlier this year, Modi said India had increased the number of countries from which it imports energy from 27 to 41.
“Previously, India used to import energy from 27 countries, now the figure has risen to 41. Continuous efforts are on to ensure petrol, diesel supply is smooth across India.”
The government has also highlighted measures such as maintaining strategic petroleum reserves and increasing domestic production of LPG as part of its energy-security approach.
Energy security amid West Asia tensions
India’s diversification strategy has gained greater attention amid the disruption to energy shipments linked to the conflict in West Asia. The country continues to source crude and other energy supplies from a broad range of markets.
In April, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said India was continuing to purchase oil from diversified sources while considering the country’s energy-security requirements and global market conditions.
“We continue to buy oil from diversified sources, keeping in mind the energy security needs of 1.4 billion people, the current situation in the international market, and the global situation we have to deal with,” Jaiswal said.
Australia and India have also reaffirmed their cooperation on energy security. In a joint statement in July, both countries said disruptions to energy and other commodity supply chains had reinforced the importance of reliable energy flows and bilateral cooperation.