India and Energy Security: A Foreign Policy Priority

This chapter focuses on the two-way links between India’s energy security and foreign/security policy. It discusses the strategic implications at the regional and global levels as well as the military implications of the energy strategies being pursued by India. Energy security has been an integral part of foreign and security policy objectives of all nations, ever since the British navy converted its ships from coal to oil propulsion, on the eve of the First World War, to gain advantage over German ships powered by coal. Energy security has always been a foreign policy concern for India as the country has been traditionally dependent on imports of oil for its energy needs. The chapter provides an overview of India’s energy profile. Coal, oil, natural gas, nuclear power and hydroelectricity account for the bulk of the total primary commercial energy consumed within India. As India has entered the global energy market, it has encountered an important competitor—the People’s Republic of China.