India Accelerates Path to Energy Self-Reliance with Critical Minerals Push and Tenfold Nuclear Expansion

Prime Minister Narendra Modi underscored India’s strategic push towards energy and resource self-reliance during his Independence Day address, outlining a comprehensive plan to secure critical minerals and accelerate clean and nuclear energy development.

He pointed to the National Critical Minerals Mission, under which exploration is underway at over 1,200 sites across the country. The initiative is aimed at ensuring access to vital minerals required for the energy, industrial, and defence sectors. According to the Prime Minister, domestic control over these resources will reinforce India’s strategic autonomy and reduce its exposure to external supply risks.

Modi also highlighted the launch of the National Deepwater Exploration Mission, which seeks to tap into India’s vast offshore energy resources. This move is expected to significantly reduce the nation’s dependence on energy imports and strengthen its long-term energy security.

In the clean energy sector, India has already achieved 50% clean energy capacity in 2025 — five years ahead of its original schedule. Calling it a major milestone, the Prime Minister said this achievement demonstrates India’s strong commitment to sustainable growth and climate commitments.

Additionally, he announced that ten new nuclear reactors are currently under development, as part of a broader plan to increase the country’s nuclear power generation capacity tenfold by 2047. The government has also opened the nuclear sector to private participation in order to accelerate growth and encourage innovation. Modi stated that reduced energy imports would allow more national resources to be directed toward farmers’ welfare, further strengthening India’s socio-economic foundations.