The closing dialogues of India Energy Week 2026 featured a high-stakes exchange between the primary architects of India’s green energy policy.
Hardeep Singh Puri, Union Minister, Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, and Dr. Neeraj Mittal, Secretary, Petroleum and Natural Gas, provided a definitive look at the nation’s transition from an energy consumer to a global strategic partner. Their discussion centered on the core pillars of the energy transition, aligning directly with sustainable energy and future fuel priorities. The conversation was firmly anchored in energy transition and energy innovation.
Minister Puri on energy addition:
Minister Puri delivered a clear message on the reality of the transition, noting that the current era is not about replacing one source with another, but about expanding the entire ecosystem. “The history of energy has never been about replacement alone. It has been about addition,” he said. “India is moving beyond energy security and working toward the mission of energy independence.”
He highlighted India’s aggressive expansion into biofuels, noting that the nation is ahead of its ethanol blending targets. He said that green hydrogen has moved from a peripheral interest to a central strategic priority. With India driving 35% of global energy demand growth over the next two decades, Puri cited a $500 billion investment potential driven by the reforms express.
Secretary Mittal on data-driven planning:
Secretary Mittal provided the operational counterpoint, focusing on the intelligence required to manage this expansion. He connected sustainability with digitalization, arguing that energy digital frontiers—utilizing AI and big data—are essential for decarbonizing existing industries. “Energy cannot play catch-up; it has to anticipate growth,” Mittal asserted. “If we falter even once in planning energy for GDP growth, it becomes a binding constraint on our economic ambitions.” He called for integrating data silos across petroleum, power, and gas to support macroeconomic forecasting, ensuring infrastructure like the national gas grid reaches every household.
The global lens:
The session was moderated by Vandana Hari, Founder and CEO of Vanda Insights, who provided a reality check on India’s exposure to international volatility. “India cannot afford to be a passive price-taker,” she argued, advocating for scenario-based planning to navigate global supply chain constraints. The dialogue concluded by framing India’s energy roadmap as a primary destination for green capital.
The speakers noted that for India to reach its net-zero goals, the global financial community must prioritize ESG-aligned investments, provided there is transparency and data-driven evidence of carbon reduction.
