Need to look at industrial structure of the hydrocarbon sector, says NITI Aayog Vice Chairperson

The industrial structure of the hydrocarbon sector is something we need to examine, NITI Aayog Vice Chairperson Suman Bery said Thursday (November 13, 2025).

Speaking at the Energy Security Summit of the Confederation of Indian Industries (CII), Mr. Bery elaborated that the mix of private sector players in the hydrocarbon energy space and the currently largely public sector-dominated landscape, towards achieving energy security, is an issue that may require ‘thoughtful consideration’ over a certain time frame.

Earlier in his address, Mr. Bery had held that India’s hydrocarbon sector is “blessed by some sophisticated private sector players”.

“I do not know if that increases or decreases our security, but I think as we are seeing now with commercial banks, [and] banks that were nationalised in 1970s, now have a new wave of foreign investments,” he observed.

‘Not trap ourselves into a high-cost energy system’

Addressing the aspect of energy security earlier, the NITI Aayog Vice Chairperson said the notion is premised on two broad concepts. The first of it, he stated, relates to a diplomatic challenge, that is, “ensuring you are not at a disadvantage because of the actions of others who have choices”. Secondly, at the micro-level, it relates to ensuring energy access that is closely linked to the idea of energy being affordable.

Co-relating both, he emphasised, “As we progress, we must make sure that we do not trap ourselves into a high-cost energy system which cuts off access.”