India Achieves Biofuel Targets Six Years Ahead of Schedule, Says Hardeep Puri

New Delhi: At the Republic Plenary Summit 2025 in Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, Union Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Hardeep Singh Puri said that India achieved its biofuel blending targets six years ahead of schedule. The country, which had set a target of 20% ethanol blending by 2026, already reached 19.6% to 20%, making significant progress in its energy transition efforts.

'Third Largest Economy in the World'

Speaking at the Summit, Puri emphasized India’s commitment to sustainability and clean energy. "When Mr. Modi, the Honorable Prime Minister, assumed charge, India was perhaps the 10th or 11th largest economy in the world. In the 10 years plus that he has been Prime Minister, we've moved from there to the fifth situation. At the current rate, by next month or so, we should be the fourth largest economy and within a year, year plus, the third largest economy in the world," he said.

India Met its Paris Agreement Commitments

Puri noted that India met its Paris Agreement commitments nine years ahead of the 2030 deadline. "We all talk in terms of energy, traditional energy not being friendly because it's a fossil fuel, hydrocarbons, you need to move away. Yes, I think we do need to move away and India is in the forefront of doing that," he added.

India's Biofuel Blending Stood at 1.5%

He recalled that in 2014, India's biofuel blending stood at 1.5%. "We had a target of 10% by November 2022. I had just become Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas in 2021 and I used to be in doubt whether we'll be able to do it. No, we did it five months in advance," he said. The country then aimed for 20% ethanol blending by 2026 but achieved it six years earlier due to strong government policies and industry participation.

Explaining the reasons behind India's success, Puri said, "A, you have a government that is politically committed to the transition. A government which is putting in place an ecosystem which will enable that transition and a government which is ensuring as was the overall objective that we will leave the planet better off than when we inherited it."

Also Read: India’s Path to Viksit Bharat: Hardeep Puri Highlights Youth's Role in $40 Trillion Economy

He emphasized that India was actively working on compressed biogas and green hydrogen as part of its clean energy initiatives. "Our biofuel targets have been achieved six years in advance. We are stepping on the gas literally, pun intended, on compressed biogas. We are moving down green hydrogen," Puri said.

Journey Towards $40 Trillion Economy

Highlighting the country’s economic rise, he stated, "India was the first country to meet the Paris Agreement commitments achieving nine years ahead of 2030. Today, we are set on the journey towards a $40 trillion economy. No one questions that we will be the third-largest economy, but some ask if we will be a developed country by then."

From 74 to 155 Airports in a Decade

Puri also pointed out India's rapid infrastructure development. "In 2014, we had 74 airports; today, we have more than 155. Our civil aviation sector is growing rapidly. Once the Jewar Airport near Delhi is completed, India’s Delhi International Airport alone will handle 140 million passengers, which is bigger than London Heathrow, Gatwick, and Stansted combined," he said.

1.5 Lakh Startups and 120 Unicorns

He underlined India’s booming startup ecosystem. "My oil marketing companies have a startup fund of ₹550 crore, which I want to increase to ₹2,000 crore before long. We have the third-largest startup ecosystem in the world, with over 1.5 lakh startups and nearly 120 unicorns. For any country that can produce 120 unicorns, that country has arrived," he remarked.

'Agents of Change'

Concluding his speech, Puri addressed the youth, calling them the "agents of change." He said, "Reclamation, affirmation, and creation are key. You are fortunate to live in an India that is reclaiming its past, affirming its position on the global stage, and creating a limitless future. You will shape the journey to a Viksit Bharat and be the beneficiaries of a $40 trillion economy."

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