Modi chairs meeting seeking reduction in India's oil imports

Strategies discussed include increasing crude oil and gas production and promoting renewables, among others.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday chaired a meeting to discuss a roadmap to reduce the country's dependency on the import of oil and gas, sources said.

They said the Petroleum Ministry presented strategies at the meeting to achieve the objective of reducing oil and gas imports. The strategies included increasing production of crude oil and gas, promoting bio-fuels and renewables, attaining energy efficiency and promoting conservation.

Home Minister Rajnath Singh, Petroleum Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and Environment Minister Anil Madhav Dave attended the meeting.

Among the other dignitaries present during the meeting were NITI Aayog's Vice Chairman Arvind Panagariya and its Chief Executive Officer, Amitabh Kant. Cabinet Secretary Pradeep Kumar Sinha was also attending the meeting.

Senior officials from various ministries, including the Prime Minister's Office, Petroleum Ministry, External Affairs Ministry, Home Ministry, Finance Ministry and Defence Ministry were also present.