For India, the energy challenge is urgent, step up to it

The US war on Iran has prompted a rethink on the challenges facing the Indian economy. While most of the focus at present has been on the sharp fall in the exchange rate of the rupee, the rupee’s fall isn’t, by itself, the problem. It is, rather, a reflection of the more substantive weaknesses in the economy. The biggest one is India’s high and rising dependence on energy imports. The initial response of austerity — urging people to work from home and other ways to conserve energy — could at best be a short-term fix. It is not a surprise that on his return from the five-nation tour last week, Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a meeting with his council of ministers to review the state of the economy and asked them to urgently explore alternative energy sources.

An economy such as India’s that hopes to quadruple average incomes over the next 20 years will need all the energy it can get. For instance, according to the government’s own data, between 2013-14 and 2023-24, per capita electricity consumption rose by 46 per cent. But while demand is growing fast, and is expected to grow faster, the supply of energy is a different story. Take coal, for example. India has one of the largest reserves of coal in the world and coal has remained the backbone of its energy supply, accounting for nearly 79 per cent of the total energy supplied domestically in 2024-25. Yet, the government admits in 2026 that the country has “experienced a steady dependency on imported coal over the last decade”. The net energy import dependency — an indicator that measures the extent to which a country relies on imports to meet its energy requirements — for coal is more than 23 per cent. This dependence on imports is alarmingly high and rising when it comes to crude oil (almost 90 per cent, up from 85 per cent a decade ago) and natural gas (50 per cent, up from 40 per cent a decade ago).

When it comes to a shift to renewables, India is fourth globally in renewable energy installed capacity, fourth in wind power, and third in solar power capacity. But more needs to be done, and soon. Finally, beyond finding new ways to produce and source energy with a view to reducing import dependence, India must also relook at how it uses its energy. Can it shift to electricity (produced from domestic sources) for cooking food instead of using imported gas? Or so radically improve public transport that it reduces the need for cars? Those are the questions.

Overall Analysis

The editorial examines India’s growing energy demands and the serious challenge posed by its increasing dependence on imported fuel. It presents a clear argument that if India wants to sustain rapid economic growth and improve living standards, it must secure a more reliable, self-sufficient, and sustainable energy future.

The article begins with the idea that a fast-growing economy like India will inevitably require massive amounts of energy. By citing rising per capita electricity consumption, the editorial uses statistical evidence to establish the scale of demand. The language is analytical and data-driven, creating a sense of urgency without sounding alarmist. The phrase “will need all the energy it can get” effectively simplifies a complex economic reality into a direct and relatable statement.

The middle section focuses on India’s dependence on fossil fuel imports despite possessing vast domestic coal reserves. The contrast between having abundant resources and still depending heavily on imports is central to the editorial’s argument. Terms like “steady dependency” and “alarmingly high” communicate concern over long-term energy vulnerability. By presenting figures related to coal, crude oil, and natural gas imports, the article builds a strong factual case that energy security remains one of India’s major economic and strategic weaknesses.

The editorial then transitions toward renewable energy, acknowledging India’s impressive global ranking in solar and wind power. However, the phrase “more needs to be done, and soon” reflects the author’s belief that current progress is insufficient given future demand. The final section broadens the discussion from energy production to energy consumption patterns. Instead of focusing only on increasing supply, the article asks whether India can fundamentally change how it uses energy — through electrification, reduced dependence on imported gas, and improved public transport systems.

The use of rhetorical questions in the conclusion makes the article thought-provoking and policy-oriented. Rather than prescribing fixed answers, the editorial encourages readers and policymakers to think about long-term structural reforms. Overall, the piece combines economic reasoning, policy analysis, and environmental concerns in a concise and persuasive manner.

Important Vocabulary (5)

1. Quadruple – to increase something four times.
2. Dependency – reliance on someone or something for support or supply.
3. Renewables – energy sources that can naturally replenish, such as solar or wind energy.
4. Import dependence – reliance on goods or resources brought from other countries.
5. Radically – in a complete and far-reaching way.

Conclusion & Tone

The editorial argues that India’s future economic ambitions depend heavily on achieving energy security through reduced import dependence, greater renewable energy adoption, and smarter energy consumption patterns. It calls for long-term strategic thinking rather than short-term fixes.

Tone: Analytical, cautionary, and policy-oriented.