Full Breakdown
Albanese Credits Modi for Unprecedented Energy Access Expansion in India
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event: Australian Prime Minister’s Praise at an Asia Society Forum
Albanese highlighted India’s expanded energy access as a hallmark of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s tenure and noted the deepening India-Australia partnership on energy security.
Background & Context: Policy Drivers Behind India’s Energy Push
Since 2017, India has pursued two flagship schemes that broadened household access to electricity and clean cooking fuel. The Saubhagya programme aimed to connect every dwelling to the grid, while the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana subsidised LPG connections for low-income families.
Geopolitical tensions in West Asia, especially disruptions through the Strait of Hormuz, have prompted New Delhi to diversify its energy import sources. Over the past 11 years, the number of countries supplying crude oil, LNG and LPG rose from 27 to 41, helping insulate the economy from external shocks.
Data & Statistics: Scale of the Expansion
| Metric | Figure | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Households electrified under Saubhagya (by March 2022) | 2.86 crore households | Union Power Ministry |
| LPG connections under PM Ujjwala (as of Sep 23 2026) | 10.56 crore connections | Government data |
| Countries supplying crude oil, LNG and LPG (increase over 11 years) | From 27 to 41 nations | PM’s Lok Sabha address |
| Strategic petroleum reserves built | 5.3 million metric tonnes (target > 6.5 million) | PM’s Lok Sabha address |
These figures show a multi-year effort that has lifted millions of Indians into formal electricity and clean-cooking networks while expanding strategic fuel stocks.
Official Statements & Responses
Prime Minister Narendra Modi told the Lok Sabha on March 23 that the West Asian conflict had made navigation of the Strait of Hormuz “highly challenging.” He said India’s broadened import base and the construction of over 5.3 million metric tonnes of strategic petroleum reserves were key to maintaining stable fuel supplies for its 1.4 billion people.
A Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson, Randhir Jaiswal, reiterated that India will continue to purchase oil from a diversified set of suppliers, balancing domestic needs with international market conditions.
Verbatim Quotes
- “To give PM Modi credit, more people have been given access to energy in India under his reign than any decade, or any region or any country in all of human history,” — Anthony Albanese, Australian prime minister
- “The good thing for me was that Prime Minister Modi asked them to cheer for me,” — Anthony Albanese, Australian prime minister
*The article synthesizes statements from Australian and Indian officials, program data released by the Union Power Ministry, and parliamentary remarks to present a factual overview of India’s recent energy-access achievements and the diplomatic recognition they have attracted.*