New Delhi, Jan 27 (KNS) : In a landmark address at the inaugural ceremony of India Energy Week 2026, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi today positioned India as the undisputed global hub for energy investment and innovation, while directly linking the historic free trade agreement with the European Union to the nation's economic sovereignty and the empowerment of its 140 crore citizens.
Addressing a global audience of 125 nations via video conferencing, the Prime Minister declared that the recently inked EU-India pact, hailed globally as the "mother of all deals," is a transformative milestone. "This agreement stands as a powerful testament to the world's faith in New India's economy and its people. It is a direct result of the stability, reform momentum, and global credibility earned by our nation over the past decade," PM Modi asserted. He emphasized that the pact, encompassing a quarter of global GDP, will supercharge sectors like textiles, gems & jewellery, leather, and footwear, creating millions of opportunities for Indian youth and manufacturers.
Outlining a bold roadmap for "Energy Independence," the Prime Minister shifted the discourse from mere security to sovereign capability. "India is no longer just seeking to secure energy for its growth; we are building an ecosystem to become a net exporter of energy solutions," he stated. He announced an ambitious target to attract USD 100 billion in investments into the oil & gas sector by 2030 and to expand exploration acreage to one million square kilometres, with the Andaman & Nicobar basin identified as the next frontier.
Taking a direct swipe at the policy paralysis of the previous regimes, PM Modi highlighted the revolutionary reforms undertaken by his government.
Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel"We have unshackled the exploration sector, reduced No-Go areas, and acted on suggestions from previous Energy Weeks to change laws. The result is a transparent, profitable landscape for investors, unlike the era of scams and stagnation," he said.
The Prime Minister presented compelling data to underscore India's investment primacy:
Fastest-growing major economy with continuously rising energy demand.
Top 5 global exporter of refined petroleum products to over 150 countries.
World's 2nd largest refining capacity (260 MMTPA), on track to become #1 with plans to exceed 300 MMTPA.
USD 500 billion investment opportunity across the entire energy value chain.
He specifically highlighted opportunities in the Samudra Manthan deep-sea mission, LNG infrastructure, a massive Rs. 70,000 crore ship-building programme, and the rapidly expanding city gas distribution network.
Concluding with a powerful call to action, the Prime Minister told the global community, "The choice is clear: Make in India, Innovate in India, Scale with India, Invest in India. Partner with us in this journey of energy independence and shared prosperity."
The event was attended by Union Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Hardeep Singh Puri and Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, who echoed the Prime Minister's vision for positioning Goa and India at the heart of the global energy transition. (KNS)