Samudra Manthan explained: How India’s offshore oil push can be a game-changer
The Indian government has launched the 'Samudra Manthan' scheme, a multi-billion rupee initiative aimed at boosting domestic oil and gas production through deep-water exploration. The project seeks to reduce India's heavy reliance on energy imports by utilizing advanced seismic surveys and drilling technologies through 2031.
Why it matters
This initiative is a strategic response to global energy price volatility and aims to secure India's long-term economic stability by increasing domestic energy self-sufficiency.
On August 15, 2025, Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke of energy security, announcing the National Deep Water Exploration Mission. “To make the country developed, we are now moving towards ‘Samudra Manthan’ (churning of the ocean). Taking forward our Samudra Manthan, we want to work in a mission mode towards finding oil reserves, gas reserves under the sea and hence India is going to start the National Deep Water Exploration Mission,” PM Modi said from the ramparts of Red Fort.Six months later, India’s energy security saw one of its biggest tests in recent times with the start of the Middle East conflict.
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