Union Minister of State for Science and Technology Dr Jitendra Singh on Wednesday said energy security is inseparable from national security, strategic autonomy and economic resilience, stressing the need for India to build a self-reliant, affordable and technology-driven energy sector amid geopolitical uncertainties and volatile global energy markets.
Addressing the 6th International Climate Summit 2026 – India’s Energy & Food Security Mission, organised by the PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry in New Delhi, Singh said disruptions in global supply chains and uncertainty in energy markets made it imperative for India to strengthen its indigenous capabilities.
He said technological advancement and self-reliance are closely linked, while affordability is equally important to ensure that emerging technologies deliver their full potential. With the growing use of artificial intelligence and the rapid expansion of data centres, Singh said India would need access to affordable and clean energy to maximise the benefits of the AI-driven economy.
The Minister described the current period as a transition towards a secure and sustainable energy future, with clean energy playing an increasingly important role. He said India, while seeking a greater global role, would also have to keep pace with technological developments and global trends in the energy sector.
Highlighting the government’s multi-pronged approach to energy security, Singh said nuclear energy would remain an important component of India’s future energy mix. He referred to the country’s target of achieving 100 GW of nuclear power capacity by 2047 and said the opening up of the nuclear sector to private players was a significant step towards creating a larger resource pool.
He also highlighted the target of developing five Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) by 2033, saying such technologies are expected to become increasingly important in the years ahead. Singh also referred to India’s efforts in green hydrogen, including the recently flagged-off green hydrogen train.
The Minister said biofuels and the circular economy would be key components of India’s clean-energy transition and could drive the next industrial revolution. He highlighted the potential of biofuels, ethanol and other sustainable fuels to support sectors such as agriculture, healthcare, irrigation, fertiliser production and transportation, which are witnessing growing energy requirements.
Singh also highlighted the contribution of scientific institutions, universities, teaching institutions and startups to India’s emerging technology ecosystem. He said India’s startup ecosystem has expanded rapidly from around 350 startups to nearly 2.4 lakh, making the country the world’s third-largest startup ecosystem.
Calling for greater private-sector participation, Singh said the government could not undertake every activity on its own and industry would have to play a larger role as new sectors and technologies open up to private players.
Referring to the Rs 1 lakh crore Research, Development and Innovation (RDI) Fund, he said the initiative was aimed at accelerating private investment in research and development and encouraging companies to participate in new and emerging technology areas.
Singh also pointed to the Anusandhan National Research Foundation, which envisages greater participation from non-government sources in research and innovation. He said increased participation from industry and other non-government stakeholders would be essential for India to remain globally competitive.
The Minister said the traditional scepticism between the public and private sectors had gradually declined, with both sides increasingly working together. He stressed that achieving India’s ambitious national targets would require coordinated efforts by the government, industry, academia and other stakeholders.
Calling upon the PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry to act as a bridge between the government and the non-government sector, Singh said industry and professional bodies could play an important role in bringing stakeholders together and supporting India’s development journey towards 2047.
He emphasised that India’s energy transition could not be pursued in isolation and would require simultaneous progress in technology, self-reliance, affordability, clean energy, innovation and private-sector participation.
