Deep-water exploration to clean energy targets, what Modi said about India's energy security
'We're dependent on so many countries for energy—petrol, diesel and gas. We spend lakhs of crores of rupees to buy it from other countries,' said the PM in his address. 'We need to be atmanirbhar in our energy.'
New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced a new 'National Deep Water Exploration Mission' in his Independence Day speech on Friday. He was speaking about India's attempts at building energy security, and how the new mission would explore the oceans and seabed for gas and energy resources.
'We spend so much money on getting energy from other countries, but if we're not dependent on them, all that money can be used for the country's youth, poor, and farmers,' said Modi from the ramparts of the Red Fort.
The PM's speech highlighted India's other clean energy missions such as the National Green Hydrogen Mission, and new initiatives in nuclear energy. India currently has 25 operational nuclear reactors in the country, and Modi said 10 of these are new and brought in during his tenure. He also said that his government has reformed the nuclear energy sector by opening it up to private players, a decision taken in March this year.
'By 2047, which is the Viksit Bharat goal, we will increase nuclear energy capacity by more than 10 times,' the PM declared.
Modi also said that India achieved its 2030 goal of 50 percent clean energy installed capacity five years in advance by 2025. He lauded the country's commitment to acting against global warming.
Deep water mission, critical minerals
In a bid towards development, PM Modi said the country is moving towards the deep ocean and will launch the National Deep Water Exploration Mission. The Mission comes at an opportune time, as the National Institute of Ocean Technology on Thursday announced that two of its engineers became the first Indians ever to travel 5000 m underwater in the Atlantic Ocean.
Apart from the Deep Water mission, Modi also spoke about the world's growing awareness of critical minerals. For India, he said, critical minerals are essential in every sector, from energy, industry, defence to technology. He spoke briefly about the work being carried out in the sector.
'The National Critical Minerals Mission is exploring more than 1200 sites, and we're soon moving towards self-reliance in this sector too,' said the PM.
(Edited by Gitanjali Das)
Also Read: Modi pushes for self-reliance in critical minerals in I-Day speech. What India's done so far
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hindustan Times
9 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
No fresh hike in tariff over oil, Donald Trump hints
US President Donald Trump appeared to rule out increased tariffs on China for purchasing Russian oil following his summit with Vladimir Putin in Alaska, while also suggesting existing penalties on India may not escalate further, providing relief for countries caught in Washington's pressure campaign against Moscow. US President Donald Trump shakes hand with Russian President Vladimir Putin during their meet at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage, Alaska. (REUTERS) Trump indicated that secondary sanctions on major oil buyers were no longer under immediate consideration after his three-hour meeting with the Russian president on Friday. 'Well, because of what happened today, I think I don't have to think about that,' Trump said of tariffs on China and more severe economic punishment for Russia for continuing the war in Ukraine. 'Now, I may have to think about it in two weeks or three weeks or something, but we don't have to think about that right now. I think, you know, the meeting went very well,' Trump added. The comments came despite the summit failing to produce a deal to end the Ukraine war, which has raged since Russia's invasion in February 2022. Prior to the meeting, Trump said 'he (Putin) lost an oil client, so to speak, which is India, which was doing about 40 per cent of the if I did what's called a secondary sanction, or a secondary tariff, it would be very devastating from their standpoint. If I have to do it, I'll do it. Maybe I won't have to do it,' offering hints that could be construed positively in New Delhi. Trump's statement came amid talk that had the Alaska Summit not gone well, India could be hit with a harsher levy. 'We've put secondary tariffs on Indians for buying Russian oil. And I could see, if things don't go well, then sanctions or secondary tariffs could go up,' US treasury secretary Scott Bessent said in a television interview on Wednesday. The US has already imposed tariffs totalling 50% on India, including a 25% penalty for Russian oil purchases that will take effect on August 27, making India one of the most heavily penalised US trading partners. Trump's more conciliatory tone followed his earlier revelation that the India tariffs were designed to pressure Russia by cutting off oil revenue, with the president claiming Moscow 'called and wanted to meet' after losing its second-largest energy customer. India welcomed the Alaska summit between the Russian and American leaders, expressing support for dialogue-based solutions to the Ukraine conflict. 'India welcomes the summit meeting in Alaska between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin. Their leadership in the pursuit of peace is highly commendable,' the Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement released after the summit. 'India appreciates the progress made at the summit. The way forward can only be through dialogue and diplomacy. The world wants to see an early end to the conflict in Ukraine,' it added. Russia currently accounts for more than a third of India's energy purchases, up from less than 1% in 2022 following Western sanctions over the Ukraine invasion. China remains Russia's largest oil customer. India has defended its energy purchases as necessary for economic security, calling US targeting 'unjustified and unreasonable' whilst arguing that Western countries maintain their own trade relationships with Russia. Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke with both Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Russian President Vladimir Putin this month, offering Indian diplomatic support to aid the peace process in his call with the former. Modi has consistently called for dialogue and diplomacy since the invasion began, making separate visits to Russia and Ukraine last year whilst urging both leaders to return to negotiations. Trump announced following the summit that he would meet Zelensky in Washington on Monday, potentially followed by a trilateral meeting with Putin, as diplomatic efforts to end the conflict continue.
Deccan Herald
9 minutes ago
- Deccan Herald
RSS will be ideological foundation of BJP, Santhosh tells Siddu
BJP national general secretary (organisation) B L Santhosh on Saturday slammed Chief Minister Siddaramaiah for criticising Prime Minister Narendra Modi's reference of the RSS during his Independence Day speech.
Time of India
23 minutes ago
- Time of India
"No agreements that would go against the farmers": Shivraj Singh Chouhan on US's demand amid tariff talks
Live Events New Delhi: Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Friday firmly stated that India will not enter into any agreements that could harm the interests of its farmers, emphasising the paramount importance of safeguarding their rights amidst ongoing trade talks with the US, especially regarding the tariff issues in the country's agricultural and dairy a gathering of farmers in the national capital, the Union Minister noted that there were global voices that had shown concern about India's rapid progress, especially in the context of trade agreements and acknowledged that while India seeks to maintain friendly relations and create fair trade agreements with countries across the world, the spirit of these agreements must be grounded in fairness and equality."In our country, the right of the farmer is paramount, and the right of the citizen is paramount. You know, there are many people in the world who are jealous of our progress. 'What if India makes great progress? Make an agreement with them.' We do make agreements because we see the world as one family. But the spirit of agreement is based on fairness, on equality," he highlighted the agreement made with the UK, where Indian agricultural products would be allowed to enter the UK without tariffs, benefiting Indian farmers . However, he was cautious about any potential trade deals that could jeopardise Indian agriculture."We made an agreement with the UK on equal terms so that the produce of our farmers can go to England without any tax. Many agricultural products will now reach England without tax. But if someone suggests an agreement that allows another country's goods to flood our markets, we cannot compete with them," he Union Minister pointed out the disparity in the scale of farming between India and many foreign countries, stating, "Their farms are massive--10,000, 15,000, or even 20,000 hectares--while our farmers often have just one or two acres, or maybe up to five acres, which is rare. There is no comparison."He also warned that an agreement that allows foreign agricultural products to flood Indian markets could severely harm domestic farmers, driving down prices and depriving them of fair returns."If such an agreement happens, it would kill Indian farmers. Cheap foreign produce will flood the market. If we sell our produce at lower prices, farmers will not get a fair return," he a strong reaffirmation of India's stance, Chouhan echoed the words of Prime Minister Narendra Modi , asserting that no agreement would be signed at the expense of Indian farmers."But PM Modi said there will be no agreements that would go against the farmers. Their rights will be paramount," he Prime Minister Narendra Modi while addressing the nation on the 79th Independence Day, reaffirmed his support to protect farmers, saying that he is "standing tall like a wall against policies which are against farmer interest.""If any policy is against India's farmers, fishermen, cattle rearers, Modi is standing like a wall," PM Modi about standing his ground in the era of 'economic selfishness,' he added, "I say this with great experience. Kisi doosre ki lakeer chhoti karne ke liye, apni oorja hamein nahi khaphai. Hamein poori oorja ke saath hamari lakeer ko lamba karna hai. If we do that, the world will admit our strength."These remarks come during a time when India is actively involved in the discussions on the Bilateral Trade Agreement with the US, which the two sides could not conclude due to the American demand to get comprehensive access to the Indian agriculture and dairy US is pressuring India to open its agricultural market and subsequently imposing a 25 per cent additional tariff, with Washington calling it a 'penalty' for buying Russian oil. (ANI)
