From Oil Embargo to Energy Realignment: The Geopolitical Evolution of Control over Oil and Power

This article examines the geopolitical evolution of energy coercion, tracing its transformation from traditional oil embargoes to contemporary sanctions, financial restrictions and technological controls, illustrating a shift in strategic power from physical control over oil supplies and maritime chokepoints to network control over finance, logistics, digital infrastructure and critical mineral supply chains. Employing a comparative-historical political economy approach, this study demonstrates that embargoes and sanctions frequently produce outcomes divergent from their original objectives, reshaping trade routes, financial systems and geopolitical alliances rather than fully isolating target states. The analysis argues that as financialised sanctions reshape global trade, control over minerals, technology and data infrastructure is emerging as the primary arena of geopolitical competition. The study evaluates India’s strategies for ensuring energy security and economic stability, including diversifying suppliers, engaging with sanctioned states, developing alternative settlement mechanisms, expanding refining capacity and investing in renewables and critical minerals. The conclusion asserts the need for India to enhance resilience, institutional capacity and strategic flexibility in response to growing global fragmentation.