IACC Summit: US, India Commit to Energy Diversification and Infrastructure Enhancement for Security and Grid Modernisation

The United States has reiterated its commitment to work closely with India in advancing energy security and economic growth, highlighting opportunities for collaboration across oil, gas, nuclear, and emerging energy technologies.

Speaking at the '3rd Energy Summit of the Indo-American Chamber of Commerce (IACC),' Xiabing Feng, Principal Commercial Officer, US Embassy in India, said that bilateral cooperation can drive transformative change in the global energy landscape. “As we look into the future, the United States remains committed to working with India through the export of high-quality products and services to help achieve its energy security and economic growth goals,” she said.

Feng noted the US can be a key partner in oil, liquefied natural gas (LNG), and nuclear power, while also contributing expertise in emerging energy technologies and grid modernization. During Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent visit to the US, both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to shaping global energy markets through a bilateral energy security partnership.

Industry leaders at the summit emphasized the need for integrated energy pathways. Vinay Rustagi, Chief Business Officer at Premier Energies Ltd, highlighted growth in renewable energy installations and solar manufacturing, while citing land and transmission challenges as key hurdles for projects. Dr. Atul Chauhan, Regional President, IACC, stressed securing critical minerals, scaling solar capacities, and investing in nuclear power and grid modernization to unlock technology transfer and co-investment opportunities.

Sunil Jain, Summit Chair and Founder Partner of Sundev Renewables LLP, underscored the importance of combining conventional, nuclear, and emerging technologies for energy security, affordability, and sustainability. “The challenge is not only to decarbonise but to do so while maintaining energy security and industrial competitiveness,” he said.

The summit also focused on India’s upcoming Carbon Capture, Utilisation and Storage (CCUS) Mission. Rajnath Ram, Adviser for Energy, NITI Aayog, said the government is finalising the roadmap and budget for the mission, which will play a critical role in India’s net-zero ambitions. He stressed the importance of long-term LNG contracts, increasing domestic gas consumption to 180–200 bcm by 2030, and exploring compressed biogas to reduce import dependence.

Other experts, including BC Tripathi, former CMD of GAIL, highlighted underutilized pipeline networks and gas-based power generation as key areas to support the transition to cleaner energy.  Rajarshi Gupta, MD of ONGC Videsh Ltd, outlined plans to source LNG from diverse global markets to ensure reliability amid volatile supply conditions.