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Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu vows to continue striking hard at Iran, Israel Defense Forces say they have established aerial superiority from Western Iran to Tehran

OpIndia Staff
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Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu vows to continue striking hard at Iran, Israel Defense Forces say they have established aerial superiority from Western Iran to Tehran

Vowing to continue to strike hard at Iran, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Saturday said Israel will strike every site and target in Iran. “In the near future, you will see Israeli Air Force planes over the skies of Tehran. We will strike every site and every target of the Ayatollahs’ regime,” Netanyahu said in a video message.

PM Benjamin Netanyahu started his message by wishing a happy birthday to Donald Trump, saying, “You’ve been an extraordinary leader: decisive, courageous, clear vision, clear action. You have done great things for Israel. You’ve been an extraordinary friend to the Jewish state and to me personally.”

Talking about the need to strike Iranian military sites, he said, “Today, Israel is defending freedom in the Middle East and beyond. We’re doing so against a tyrannical and radical Iranian regime that wants to build atomic bombs to destroy us and wants to build ballistic missiles, including intercontinental ballistic missiles, to be able to threaten anyone and everywhere in the world.”

He said, “By defending ourselves, we’re also defending others. We’re defending our Arab neighbors, our Arab friends in peace, we’re defending Europe, we’re helping defend also the United States, which helps us all the time in our defence. This is an important mission. Right now, the Iranian regime is bombing our civilian neighborhoods while we are targeting the terrorists. Now, this is not new. They’ve tried to assassinate President Trump twice. They bombed American Embassies. They killed 241 Marines in Beirut. They killed and injured thousands of Americans with their IEDs in Iraq and Afghanistan. They burn the American flag, they chant endlessly “death to America”.”

The Israeli PM said that they have already taken out senior Iranian military leadership and their senior technologists involved in developing nuclear weapon. He said, “So, we’re preparing. We paved the way to Tehran and our pilots over the skies of Tehran will deal blows to the Ayatollah regime that they cannot even imagine.”

Netanyahu also claimed to have information that senior Iranian leaders are preparing to flee from the country. He said, “we have indications that senior leaders in Iran are already packing their bags. They sense what’s coming.”

Saying why the strike on Iran was necessary, he added, “I’ll tell you what would have come if we hadn’t acted. We had information that this unscrupulous regime was planning to give the nuclear weapons that they would develop to their terrorist proxies. That’s nuclear terrorism on steroids. That would threaten the entire world.”

He further said, “This is what Israel is doing with the support, the clear support of the President of the United States, Donald Trump, and the American people and many others in the world. So, with God’s help and with the goodwill and resolution of all free societies, we shall win.”

Defense Minister Israel Katz has also warned that “Tehran will burn” if Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei does not stop the deadly missile attacks targeting Israel.

Earlier the IDF had said that they have established aerial superiority from Western Iran to Tehran. The Israel Defense Forces said it was aiming to operate freely over Tehran after taking out air defences overnight. Notably, during the strikes on Iran, this was the first time that Israeli fighter jets flew over Tehran and targeted Iran’s air defenses.

Israeli military aims to continue hitting targets from fighter jets over Iranian airspace. As per Israeli sources, 70 Israeli Air Force fighter jets participated in the overnight operation, during which the military “established aerial superiority from western Iran to Tehran.” Around 40 sites were targeted, including air defense systems and related assets.

IAF fighter jets and drones flew over Tehran for some two and a half hours during the operation. Apart from hitting several military sites, Israeli strikes also took out several top military leaders and nuclear experts.

Four Naxalites including three women killed in encounter in Madhya Pradesh’s Balaghat

ANI
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Four Naxalites including three women killed in encounter in Madhya Pradesh’s Balaghat

Security forces gunned down four Naxalites, including three women, in an encounter which took place in the hilly area of Pachama Dadar in Madhya Pradesh’s Balaghat district, police said on Saturday.

Security forces also recovered a hand grenade, a rocket launcher, a 315 rifle and cartridges, Special DG Naxal, Pankaj Srivastava told ANI over the phone.

“Four Naxalites, including three women, have been neutralised in an encounter which took place in the hilly area of Pachama Dadar of Bithli police station. A hand grenade, a rocket launcher, a 315 rifle and cartridges have been recovered,” Special DG Naxal told ANI.

Some Naxalites succeeded in escaping from the encounter site. The search operations for them are underway.

Additionally, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav also confirmed the development, calling it a part of the state’s continuing mission to eliminate Naxalism by March 2026.

“Under the guidance of Prime Minister Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah, Madhya Pradesh is continuously working towards our resolve to end Naxalism by March 2026. 4 Naxalites have been killed in the encounter in Balaghat today, including 3 women and a man. Many weapons and ammunition, including rocket launcher, have been recovered from them,” Yadav said.

MP CM Yadav said that the government will reward the personnel for their success in the incident.

“The Madhya Pradesh government will definitely reward the policemen who brought good results in this incident,” Yadav said.

Earlier, Security forces neutralised two Naxals in an encounter in the forest area under Kukanar Police Station area of Chhattisgarh’s Sukma district, police said.

According to Sukma Superintendent of Police Kiran Chavan, automatic weapons were also recovered from the spot.

(This news report is published from a syndicated feed. Except for the headline, the content has not been written or edited by OpIndia staff)

India distances itself from SCO statement on Iran-Israel conflict; urges dialogue, diplomacy for de-escalation

ANI
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India distances itself from SCO statement on Iran-Israel conflict; urges dialogue, diplomacy for de-escalation

India said on Saturday that it did not participate in the discussions on the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) statement on recent developments between Israel and Iran and that channels of dialogue and diplomacy be utilised to work towards de-escalation.

In its statement, Ministry of External Affairs said External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar had discussed this matter with his Iranian counterpart yesterday and conveyed the deep concern of the international community at the turn of events.

The statement referred to India’s stance articulated on Friday in which New Delhi had expressed deep concern at the recent developments between Iran and Israel.

“The SCO has issued a statement on recent developments between Israel and Iran. India’s own position on the matter had been articulated by us on June 13, 2025, and remains the same. We urge that channels of dialogue and diplomacy be utilised to work towards de-escalation and it is essential that the international community undertake endeavours in that direction,” MEA’s statement said on Saturday.

“The External Affairs Minister too discussed this matter with his Iranian counterpart yesterday and conveyed the deep concern of the international community at the turn of events. He also urged the avoidance of any escalatory steps and an early return to diplomacy,” it added.

MEA said that the overall position of India was communicated to other SCO members.

“Keeping that in mind, India did not participate in the discussions on the above-mentioned SCO statement,” MEA said.

SCO issued a strong statement on Saturday condemning military strikes “carried out by Israel against Iran on June 13”.

In its statement, SCO expressed serious concern over the escalating tensions in the Middle East.

“Such aggressive actions against civilian targets, including energy and transport infrastructure, which have resulted in civilian casualties, are a gross violation of international law and the United Nations Charter. They constitute an infringement on Iran’s sovereignty, cause damage to regional and international security, and pose serious risks to global peace and stability,” the statement said.

Iran is a member of SCO. “The SCO member states firmly advocate for the resolution of the situation surrounding Iran’s nuclear program exclusively through peaceful, political, and diplomatic means. SCO member states, strictly adhering to the principles and norms of the UN Charter and the SCO Charter, consider any unlawful actions directed against SCO member states unacceptable and reaffirm their unwavering commitment to strengthening international peace and security,” the statement added.

India had on Friday expressed its deep concern at the recent developments between Iran and Israel.

“We are closely monitoring the evolving situation, including reports related to attacks on nuclear sites. India urges both sides to avoid any escalatory steps. Existing channels of dialogue and diplomacy should be utilised to work towards a de-escalation of the situation and resolving underlying issues,” MEA had said.

It said India enjoys close and friendly relations with both the countries and stands ready to extend all possible support.

“Our Missions in both countries are in contact with the Indian community. All Indian nationals in the region are advised to exercise caution, stay safe and follow local security advisories,” the statement said.

(This news report is published from a syndicated feed. Except for the headline, the content has not been written or edited by OpIndia staff)

Lallantop journalist, Zee 24 Kalak and Congress spread fake news after Air India crash, claim boy who recorded the incident was detained: Here is the truth

OpIndia Staff
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Lallantop journalist, Zee 24 Kalak and Congress spread fake news after Air India crash, claim boy who recorded the incident was detained: Here is the truth

On 14th June, The Lallantop journalist Abhinav Pandey claimed in a social media post on X that the teen who recorded the video of the London-bound Air India flight crash had been detained by the Ahmedabad Police.

In his post, Pandey claimed that the teenager who first recorded the video of the crash was taken away by the police. He said, “Already frightened by the tragic incident, [name retracted] was left even more shaken by the police action. It was his first time visiting the city, his first time seeing an airplane, and what he witnessed was a horrifying crash.”

Source: X

He further claimed that, instead of reassuring him, the authorities subjected him to further fear. According to Pandey, his father, Madan, a retired soldier, raised serious concerns over the treatment meted out to his son. He further tagged Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and questioned the conduct of the police.

To support his claims, he further shared a screenshot of a post by Zee 24 Kalak that said the same thing in Gujarati, which no longer exists.

Source: X

However, there is another post along similar lines.

Ahmedabad Congress Sevadal also made the same allegation, claiming that the boy was detained by police for filming and sharing a video of the recent plane crash.

Ahmedabad police refuted claims

Replying to both Pandey and Zee 24 Kalak, Ahmedabad police clarified that the teenager had come to the police station to record his statement. After he gave the details to the police, he was let go with his father. Police made it clear that the boy was not detained.

The police said, “No one has been arrested for making this video. A screen recording of the mobile video went viral. The minor who recorded the video provided details to the police. He came with his father to give a statement as a witness. He was then sent back with his father. There has been no arrest or detention. Please refrain from spreading rumours or misinformation.”

Pandey further replied to the police and claimed he did not say the teenager was detained or arrested. He claimed that his question was on the method the police used and questioned why they were not polite.

Source: X

While Pandey claimed he did not say the police detained the teenager, he apparently forgot that he had shared the Zee 24 Kalak post’s screenshot that categorically claimed he was detained. The post where the screenshot was shared was available till this post was published.

The contradiction between Pandey’s defence and his earlier post raises questions about the credibility of his claim. With the police issuing a clear denial and no evidence of detention, the matter appears to be a case of premature outrage based on unverified information.

Air India crash: 4 MBBS students and 4 family members of super-speciality doctors have died, confirms Junior Doctor’s Association of B J Medical College, urges not to inflate numbers

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Air India crash: 4 MBBS students and 4 family members of super-speciality doctors have died, confirms Junior Doctor’s Association of B J Medical College, urges not to inflate numbers

Junior Doctor’s Association of BJ Medical College on Saturday confirmed that four MBBS students lost their lives after the London-bound Air India flight rammed into the doctor’s hostel shortly after taking off from the Ahmedabad airport on Thursday.

In a statement, Junior Doctor’s Association on Saturday said that the students were having lunch at the mess when the plane crashed into the building, killing four and injuring 20 MBBS students. Of the injured, 11 have been discharged.

“In reference to the recent plane crash incident, JDA- BJMC clarifies that a total of 4 MBBS students from B.J. Medical College, who were having lunch in the mess building, have sadly passed away. Out of the 20 MBBS students injured in the accident, 11 have been discharged with a stable condition,” the statement read.

The association also urged people not to be misled by rumours of a higher death toll among students and resident doctors in the plane crash.

“Some individuals are spreading rumours suggesting a high death toll among medical college students and resident doctors. We appeal to everyone not to be misled by such misinformation and to refrain from spreading rumours further.”

According to the association, four family members of super-speciality doctors who were residing in “Atulyam” building in the college campus also died.

“Among the family members of Super Specialty doctors residing in the “Atulyam” building, 4 have tragically died. Additionally, the wife of one resident doctor from the Super Specialty department has been injured and is currently under treatment. The condition of all admitted patients is stable and they are recovering quickly,” the statement read.

Air India earlier confirmed the death of 241 people out of the 242 on board in the plane crash.

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) issued an order to extend the scrutiny of the Boeing Dreamliner 787 series planes present in the Indian Aircraft fleet, said Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu

Naidu further stated that around eight Boeing 787 Series aircraft have already been scrutinised and inspected with immediate urgency.

Addressing a press conference here, the Union Civil Aviation Minister said, “We have very strict safety standards in the country…When the incident happened, we also felt that there is a need to do an extended surveillance of the Boeing 787 Series. DGCA has also given an order to do the extended surveillance for the Boeing 787 planes. There are 34 in our Indian aircraft fleet today. I believe that 8 have already been inspected, and with immediate urgency, all of them are going to be done.”

(This news report is published from a syndicated feed. Except for the headline, the content has not been written or edited by OpIndia staff)

The curious case of seat no 11A: The chilling coincidence connecting two plane crash survivors, 27 years apart

OpIndia Staff
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The curious case of seat no 11A: The chilling coincidence connecting two plane crash survivors, 27 years apart

On 12th June, Air India’s London-bound flight tragically crashed within a few minutes of take-off from Ahmedabad International Airport. Out of 242 onboard, including crew members, 241 died in the crash. The sole survivor, 40-year-old British Indian man Viswash Kumar Ramesh, walked away with some injuries. Ramesh was seated on seat 11A.

Around 4,800 KM away in Thailand, when actor and singer James Ruangsak Loychusak read about Ramesh surviving the air crash, he was shocked to learn the seat number. Coincidentally, in 1998, Loychusak was one of the survivors of the deadly Thai Airways flight TG261 crash. The plane crashed while attempting a landing in the southern Thai city of Surat Thani. The flight had taken off from Bangkok. During landing, it stalled mid-air and crashed. There were 146 people onboard, out of which 101 were killed. Loychusak was sitting on 11A and survived.

The 47-year-old actor-singer took to Facebook and wrote, “Survivor of a plane crash in India. He sat in the same seat as me. 11A.”

Source: Facebook

While this is a coincidence that brought back horrifying memories for Loychusak, both crashes were far apart from each other. There were 45 survivors in the 27-year-old crash, while in Air India’s recent crash, there was only one survivor. Furthermore, the two aircraft were different. The Thai Airways flight was an Airbus A310, while Air India flight AI-171 was a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner. The design, layout, and seat positioning of 11A are also different on the two aircraft.

The possible impacts on India if Iran-Israel conflict escalates into a full-fledged war: Read details

OpIndia Staff
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The possible impacts on India if Iran-Israel conflict escalates into a full-fledged war: Read details

Amid the ongoing military confrontations and the likelihood of an all-out war between Israel and Iran, the global markets, including the Indian market, are expected to experience major trade disruptions. Early signs of the conflict’s impact on the Indian market became visible after Sensex closed 573 points lower on Friday (13th June). Considering that India has trade relations with both the countries, the impact of their conflict will be seen in India.

Surge in oil prices and resultant hike in the cost of exports

Following the first two rounds of Israel’s attack on Friday, the international oil market witnessed a spike of nine percent. Prices of Brent crude oil also rose by over $6 to cross a five-month high of $78 per barrel. Though, India does not import large quantities of crude oil from Iran, but the supply chain being affected, exports might become expensive. A rise in crude oil prices threatens to weaken the Indian rupee resulting in inflation.

According to a report of Emkay Global, Iran produces around 3.3 million barrels per day (mbpd) of crude oil, which accounts for around 3% of global production. It exports around 1.5 mbpd to different countries, with China being its biggest importer (80%) followed by Turkey.

Iran lies on the northern side of the Strait of Hormuz/Persian Gulf, which is a key passage through which 20–25 per cent of global oil supply transits, as well as a critical corridor for Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) shipments from the UAE and Qatar, which is among the top LNG suppliers to India. Iran, in the past, warned to block this route. If it chooses to do so as a result of its ongoing conflict with Israel, the global oil supply is bound to take a hit. With a higher-than-expected production hike for July, the oil markets are reportedly expected to survive any possible cuts in Iranian oil supply for some time. However, if the conflict drags for too long, it can cause disruptions in the oil market

Air space diversions

After Israel began its airstrikes on Iran on Thursday (12th June), the Iranian airspace witnessed mass diversions of passenger jets flying between Europe and Asia. As Iranian as well as Israeli airspaces were occupied by projectiles being fired from both sides, the international commercial aviation felt its ripple effects. The flights had to take longer routes resulting in delays and increased fuel costs. With Pakistan’s airspace already being closed for India, a shut down of the Iranian irspace will force Indian flights to take longer routes. As per reports, an Air India Mumbai-London flight returned after three hours in the air.

Freight rates might go up

The conflict between the West Asian countries will also negatively impact trade via sea route. Shipments, including export shipments from India, started resuming the Red Sea route in May this year, after the route faced security concerns throughout the last year due to recurring attacks by Houthis in Yemen. However, with direct confrontations started between Israel and Iran, the vessel might have to take the longer Cape of Good Hope route. This detour will result in increased freight charges as the voyage time increases by 10-14 days. Longer sea routes also lead to reduced availability of vessels further contributing to the rise in freight rates.

Other adverse effects of the conflict

India’s imports from the Middle East include, LPG, LNG, petrochemicals, and fertilisers. The diversion in the sea route could lead to enhanced prices and well shipping risks. Any disruptions in the LPG or fertiliser supply would disturb the supply chain in rural Indian households and agriculture sector. An increased cost of fertiliser would further affect the price of food.
Manufacturing sector including aviation, chemicals, paints, tyres, cement, and logistics make use of petroleum-based components and fuels. If the prices of the raw materials like jet fuel, gasoil, or naphtha increase, the profit margins will be reduced.

India’s trade relations with Israel and Iran

During the current financial year, India exported goods worth $2.1 billion to Israel and imported goods worth $1.6 billion. India’s exports to Iran stood at $1.2 billion while it imported goods worth $441.9 million from Iran. India’s cumulative trade with both Israel and Iran amounts to about $5 billion.

The items exported by India to Israel include, polished diamonds, jewellery, consumer electronics and engineering goods. Israel, on the other hand, exports large quantities of military weapons to India. The country is India’s 32nd largest trading partner and a major defence supplier. According to a report of Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, India has imported military hardware worth about $3 billion from Israel, including radars, surveillance and combat drones and missiles, in the past 10 years. India also imports pearls, precious stones, electrical, electronics equipment, fertilizers, chemical products from Israel.

Apart from crude oil, India imports dry fruits, chemicals and glass utensils from Iran and exports several items including Basmati rice, tea, coffee and sugar.

Air India starts one-time inspection of Boeing 787 Dreamliner planes as per DGCA order, checks already completed on nine aircraft

OpIndia Staff
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Air India starts one-time inspection of Boeing 787 Dreamliner planes as per DGCA order, checks already completed on nine aircraft

A day after Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) ordered Air India to conduct one-time inspection of its fleet of Boeing 787-8 and Boeing 787-9 planes, the airline said that it is in the process of completing the safety checks. In a statement issued on X, Air India said that it has already completed the directed checks on nine of the Boeing 787 aircraft, and are on track to complete this process for the remaining 24 aircraft within the given deadline.

The one-time checks are being done on the planes before they are cleared for next operations. Air India added that some of these checks could lead to higher turnaround time and potential delays on certain long-haul routes, especially those to airports with operating curfews.

Air India had 34 Boeing 787 Dreamliner widebody jets in its fleet, which has been reduced to 33 now after the crash. The other Indian airline that operates the aircraft is IndiGo, which has 6 planes on lease from Norse Atlantic.

DGCA on Friday ordered enhanced safety inspections for Air Indias’ fleet of Boeing 787 planes after the Ahmedabad crash. DGCA said that as a preventive measure, Air India has been directed to carry out several additional maintenance actions on B787-8/9 aircrafts equipped with GEnx engines.

Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has already started investigation into the crash of the plane shortly after taking off from Ahmedabad Air port. Teams of National Security Guard (NSG), National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Air Force, Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL), Fire rescue forces, Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and Central Industrial Security Forces (CISF) are inspecting the wreckage of the ill-fated London-bound Air India 171 flight and collecting material to be inspected.

Boeing, GE Aerospace and NTSB have sent teams to help in the investigatuion to find out the cause of the crash. The blackbox containing the cockpit voice recorder and the digital flight data recorder has been recovered from the wreckage.

As per reports, while calling mayday, the pilot said that he had no power, no thrust, and the plane was going down. This indicates that the both engines failed soon after the take off. Analysis of the flight data recorder will help in finding the cause of the same.

At least 274 people have died in the crash, including 241 people onboard. Only one passenger from the plane survived. The rest victims include doctors who were present in their hostel buildings when the plane hit.

Khawaja Asif’s comedy hour: Pakistan ‘hacked’ IPL floodlights and Indian dam gates in response to Operation Sindoor, apparently

Jinit Jain
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Khawaja Asif’s comedy hour: Pakistan ‘hacked’ IPL floodlights and Indian dam gates in response to Operation Sindoor, apparently

In a remarkable display of national comedy disguised as parliamentary speech, Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif stunned the Parliament by claiming that Pakistani “cyber warriors” had hacked floodlights during IPL matches and even gained access to Indian dam gates.

Yes, you read that right. A country that can’t keep its own lights on now claims to be switching off India’s stadium floodlights — remotely. Asif’s claim is so ludicrous it makes science fiction sound like documentary.

According to the minister, Pakistan’s home-grown cyber tech can now override the control systems of India’s tightly secured hydroelectric dams. Because clearly, dam infrastructure is operated via unsecured public Wi-Fi with “1234” as the password.

This laughable claim comes just months after Operation Sindoor, where India dismantled nine terror camps and neutralized 11 Pakistani Air Force bases, leaving Islamabad diplomatically and militarily cornered. Now, instead of rebuilding, Pakistan’s Defence Minister wants his citizens to celebrate fantasy cyber victories while the real economy sinks and power outages roll on daily.

But what adds rich irony to this episode is Asif’s own track record of fantasy-driven claims. This is, after all, the same minister who — when asked by CNN’s Becky Anderson to furnish proof that Pakistan had downed five Indian fighter jets, including Rafales during Operation Sindoor — confidently pointed to “Indian social media” as evidence.

“It is all on social media… Indian social media, not ours,” he insisted, before stumbling when pressed for actual data.

At this point, it’s less of a defence strategy and more of a stand-up routine. Unfortunately for Pakistanis, they’re paying the price for his punchlines.

What are India’s strategic petroleum reserves and how they help secure Indian energy needs in case of any oil crisis resulting from escalating Middle East crisis, explained

Anurag
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What are India’s strategic petroleum reserves and how they help secure Indian energy needs in case of any oil crisis resulting from escalating Middle East crisis, explained

On the night of 12th June, Israel launched a strategic military attack on Iran, leading to escalation of tensions in the Middle East. The global markets are concerned that the conflict may disrupt crude oil supplies. There are several countries, including India, that heavily rely on crude oil imports. However, India is in a strong position to tolerate any external shocks. The reason behind such sustainable supply of crude oil amid tensions is the consistent expansion of its Strategic Petroleum Reserves (SPR). The programme to stockpile crude oil predates Prime Minister Narendra Modi. However, since he took office, India’s SPRs have increased exponentially.

How India built a crude oil shield

The Indian Strategic Petroleum Reserve Limited (ISPRL) comes under the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas. Currently, there are three facilities managed by ISPRL, located in underground rock cavern storage. The total capacity of ISPRL is 5.33 million metric tonnes (MMT) of crude oil. These facilities are located in Visakhapatnam, Mangaluru and Padur. Out of these, Padur holds the maximum stockpile of crude oil (2.5 MMT), followed by Mangaluru (1.5 MMT) and Visakhapatnam (1.3 MMT).

The main aim of building these reserves is to ensure energy security at the time of global geopolitical uncertainties. These reserves act as a buffer that can be used to meet crude oil demand in case there is a disruption in supply or a surge in prices in the market.

Notably, these storage facilities are built in underground rock caverns. These are considered to be one of the safest and most secure methods for storing hydrocarbons. From these storage facilities, crude oil can be supplied to the refineries via pipelines or coastal shipping.

Expansion of SPR under Modi government

While the concept of strategic reserves predated the Modi government, under his leadership, the programme has significantly expanded. In July 2021, the Union Cabinet approved construction of two more SPR facilities, which will increase the stockpile by 6.5 MMT. One of them is being constructed in Chandikhol, Odisha, and the other in Padur, Karnataka.

Earlier phases of the programme were funded entirely by the government. However, these two SPRs are being developed under a public-private partnership model. It has not only reduced the burden on the government but also allowed private investment in national energy security infrastructure.

In a reply in the Lok Sabha in March 2025, Minister of State for Petroleum Suresh Gopi confirmed that the aim of the expansion is to enhance India’s ability to counter external shocks. The government and oil marketing companies (OMCs) continuously assess the technical and commercial feasibility of increasing storage capacity further. He also pointed out that the government is identifying new sites for future reserves.

Diversified sourcing strategy

Not to forget, India is not only building reserves but also strategically diversifying its crude oil import sources. While the Middle East remains a significant supplier, Indian oil PSUs have also built strong ties with countries across Africa, North and South America, and the Asia-Pacific region.

Notably, India has signed long-term contracts with suppliers for liquefied natural gas (LNG) in Australia, the US, and the UAE. This diversification removes the risk of overdependence on any single region and provides a stable supply network.

Ethanol blending and alternative fuels

Another important aspect of making India less dependent on suppliers is the aggressive push for fossil fuel substitution through biofuels and gas-based energy. One such initiative is the Ethanol Blended Petrol (EBP) Programme. Under this programme, petrol is blended with ethanol to reduce crude import dependence. The government has set a target of a 20% ethanol blending rate in petrol by the end of 2025, which was earlier set at 2030.

According to data presented in Parliament, ethanol production has surged, specifically grain-based ethanol, which now accounts for 51% of the total output in 2023–24. The government has stated that concerns about food security are unfounded and that cereal production figures exceed domestic demand. Furthermore, there is enough buffer stock to fulfil the grain needs of India.

The ethanol industry is estimated to reduce carbon emissions by 10 million tonnes and save up to ₹40,000 crore annually on crude imports.

Strengthening clean fuel ecosystem

The government is also promoting Compressed Bio Gas (CBG), biodiesel, green hydrogen, and electric vehicles as part of a multi-layered clean energy strategy. The Sustainable Alternative Towards Affordable Transportation (SATAT) initiative aims to deploy CBG as a vehicle fuel, further reducing reliance on conventional petroleum products.

In the past decade, policy reforms and incentives have been rolled out to encourage domestic exploration and production of oil and natural gas. On the other hand, refiners are being pushed towards efficiency upgrades and greener processes. The idea is to transition from a petroleum-dependent economy to a cleaner, more diversified energy mix with security through a strategic stockpile.

Infrastructure, cost and management

The initial construction of the SPRs came at a cost of Rs 4,098 crore for the three operational sites. Padur was commissioned in December 2018, Mangaluru in 2016, and Visakhapatnam in 2015. An additional 0.3 MMT compartment at Visakhapatnam is utilised by Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL) under a cost-sharing model, enhancing utility with marginal cost increase.

The reserves are managed by ISPRL. In times of disruption, the release and replenishment of stocks are overseen by an empowered committee of the Government of India.

Strategic relevance in a volatile world

India has proactively built and expanded its crude oil reserves and the process is still ongoing. This stockpile has become more crucial in the backdrop of escalating hostilities in the Middle East. Notably, a significant portion of the world’s oil flows through the Middle East, and even a partial disruption would have ripple effects across global energy markets.

In the event of a blockade or supply freeze, India has the ability to draw upon its SPRs for weeks or even months. It not only softens the blow of potential price shocks but also ensures that critical sectors of the economy do not face fuel shortages.

Conclusion

At a time when energy security is once again under the global spotlight, India stands out as a country that has quietly but effectively prepared for the worst. The visionary planning, strategic investment in infrastructure, and clear policy thrust on diversification and renewables have created a framework that insulates India from external shocks to a significant degree.

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