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On slippery ground: Refining capacity rises just 5% in 7 years

On slippery ground: Refining capacity rises just 5% in 7 years

Time of India14-07-2025
India has added just 5% to its refining capacity over the past seven years-a sharp contrast to the 69% expansion originally planned by 2025. A mix of
climate-related demand uncertainty
, land constraints, and the pandemic has slowed progress, further deepening the country's dependence on energy imports.
India's refining capacity was projected to rise from 245 million tonnes per annum (mtpa) in 2017-18 to 414 mtpa by 2025 and 439 mtpa by 2030, according to a 2018 report by an official panel of
oil ministry
officials and industry executives, which based its projection on "firm plans" by refiners.
The refining capacity, however, has risen to just 258 mtpa, according to oil ministry data. The major misses included the India-Saudi 60 mtpa greenfield joint venture project, Rosneft-backed Nayara Energy's 25 mtpa expansion, Reliance Industries' 7.5 mtpa addition, and
Indian Oil
's 34 mtpa target.
The BPCL-NRL combined capacity expanded by 2 mtpa, compared to a projected 26.4 mtpa by 2025, while the HPCL-ONGC group achieved an 11 mtpa increase-the largest by any group-against its 23 mtpa target. Some expansion projects, including those by Indian Oil and
HPCL
, are under construction and expected to come online over the next few years.
Indian Oil, HPCL,
BPCL
,
RIL
, and Nayara declined to comment.
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Slower expansion, coupled with surging domestic demand, has pushed up India's imports of petroleum products by 43% in seven years to 2024-25, while exports have declined by 3% in volume terms.
B Ashok, former chairman of Indian Oil, says the uncertainty over the impact of energy transition policies, both domestically and globally, has "made decision-makers more circumspect". While acknowledging that refineries are "high capex and high gestation projects", he warned that India needs fast-executed greenfield refinery projects to support its rapidly expanding economy.
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UPI, FTA, Rs 30-Billion Swap Line: India's Big Plans For PM Modi's Maldives Trip As Ties Reset
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  • News18

UPI, FTA, Rs 30-Billion Swap Line: India's Big Plans For PM Modi's Maldives Trip As Ties Reset

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DRI unearths fraud involving undervaluation in imports of luxury furniture; 3 held
DRI unearths fraud involving undervaluation in imports of luxury furniture; 3 held

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DRI unearths fraud involving undervaluation in imports of luxury furniture; 3 held

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C Raja Mohan writes: PM Modi in the UK: Let go of the bilateral baggage
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C Raja Mohan writes: PM Modi in the UK: Let go of the bilateral baggage

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The perception in Delhi of Britain as a 'diminished power' stands in sharp contrast to India's enduring view of Russia as a 'superpower'. This disconnect reflects a lingering anti-colonial mindset and a romanticised view of Russia in Delhi but has little grounding in present-day realities. It ignores the large interface between Indian and British societies that stands in contrast to a narrow government-to-government relationship with Moscow. One of the key drivers of the evolving India-UK relationship has been the effort to shed the lingering colonial condescension in London and entrenched anti-imperial resentment in Delhi. The focus has now shifted to building a pragmatic, forward-looking partnership based on shared interests. It has also meant confronting Delhi's own double standards. While the Indian elite never misses an opportunity to denounce British colonialism, it continues to seek validation from Britain and its institutions. 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The free trade agreement being signed this week, the 2024 technology security initiative, and the joint defence industrial roadmap announced this year are all fruits of that vision. Implementing the 2030 roadmap would not have been possible without greater responsiveness from the British establishment. Particularly significant in addressing Delhi's concerns about anti-India extremism is Prime Minister Keir Starmer's reining in the extremist factions within the Labour Party that had taken a hostile stance on India carrying forward the 2030 Roadmap initiated by the Tories. Modi's visit is also an opportunity to reflect on the deep economic and political turbulence within Britain. The Starmer government is struggling to revive a stagnating economy. It has abandoned the strategy of total reliance on services and launched an industrial policy aimed at innovation-led growth in eight key sectors, including advanced manufacturing, defence, clean energy, life sciences, and creative industries. This opens new possibilities for India-UK collaboration. Britain remains a global leader in higher education, scientific research, and technology — and Modi's visit could help identify fresh avenues for partnership in these domains. It is also set to play a critical role in European security amid American retrenchment under Trump. India should recognise the internal political fragmentation in Britain amid mounting pressures on the two-party system. Delhi should also be aware of the rising anti-immigration sentiment in a rapidly changing Britain. It should focus less on sending more students and workers to Britain. Instead, Delhi should be drawing British universities into India and building collaboration with British capital to expand opportunities at home. For too long, Delhi and London have underestimated what they could do for each other. 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