Abstract: India’s thriving energy demand, driven by rapid industrialization, urban expansion, and advancing consumption, has intensified the country’s dependence on imported crude oil and natural gas. India being the third largest importer in the world, previously was reliant on a narrow set of suppliers concentrated in West Asia. India’s energy landscape has faced vulnerability due to geopolitical tensions, market volatility, and supply chain disruptions. In response, diversification has emerged as a predominant pillar of India’s energy diplomacy ensuring availability, accessibility and affordability. This paper examines how India’s diplomatic engagements, strategic partnerships, and institutional frameworks are reshaping the architecture of crude oil and natural gas supply chains to enhance long-term energy security. Tapping into a geoeconomic perspective, the paper analyzes India’s expanding energy relationships with Russia, the United States, Africa, Latin America, and Indo-Pacific partners, as well as policy mechanisms such as long-term contracts, strategic petroleum reserves, investment in LNG infrastructure, and multilateral platforms including BRICS, IEA, and IPEF. The paper further evaluates the role of renewable integration, critical technology, and transition fuels in reducing strategic vulnerabilities. By outlining shifting trade patterns and supply chain recalibrations following global disruptions such as the COVID-19 pandemic, Russia–Ukraine conflict, and Red Sea maritime insecurity, this paper focuses on how India’s energy diversification strategy is evolving into a resilience-oriented security framework. Lastly, the study concludes that while diversification does not eliminate risks, it reinforces India’s strategic autonomy and reinforces the stability of its energy ecosystem in an increasingly uncertain global order. Longterm resilience will require integrating diversification with clean energy transition, infrastructure upgrades, and strategic partnerships.
Binni Kumari (Sun,) studied this question.