Media365
The government has clarified that India is not currently pursuing a deep-sea energy pipeline between Gujarat and Oman, dismissing media reports as speculation amid renewed debate on West Asia’s energy security and maritime risks
As tensions in West Asia keep global energy routes under scrutiny, India on Tuesday clarified that the country is not actively pursuing a proposed deep-sea energy pipeline between Gujarat and Oman, calling reports on the project speculative.
In an official statement, the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas rejected media reports suggesting that the government was exploring or advancing
work on a subsea energy corridor, often referred to as the Middle East–India Deepwater Pipeline (MEIDP).
The ministry said it had taken note of reports claiming that India was in discussions with Oman and other Gulf countries on a nearly 2,000-kilometre undersea pipeline project, and categorically denied any such engagement.
“The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas wishes to categorically clarify that no such proposal is currently under consideration by this Ministry. There are no active discussions or negotiations with Oman or any other Gulf countries on this project at any level in this Ministry,” the statement said.
It added that the clarification was being issued “to put all speculation in this regard to rest”.
The denial comes at a time when India’s energy security vulnerabilities have again come under focus due to instability in West Asia and heightened risks to maritime shipping routes that transport crude oil and liquefied natural gas (LNG) from the Gulf region.
The Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint linking the Persian Gulf with the Arabian Sea, carries nearly one-fifth of global oil trade and a significant share of LNG shipments, making it one of the world’s most sensitive energy corridors.
India, which imports the bulk of its crude oil and a large share of its natural gas needs, remains heavily dependent on these sea routes for uninterrupted energy supplies.
Long-dormant pipeline idea resurfaces in debate
The government’s clarification also comes against the backdrop of renewed discussion in energy and strategic circles over the feasibility of a long-proposed Oman–Gujarat Deep-Sea Gas Pipeline.
The concept envisions a subsea pipeline stretching nearly 2,000 kilometres across the Arabian Sea, directly connecting Oman’s gas resources to India’s western coast, potentially bypassing conventional LNG shipping routes.
The idea has remained under consideration for over three decades but has never moved beyond feasibility studies due to high costs, technical complexity and commercial uncertainties.
Supporters argue that such a pipeline could reduce exposure to maritime disruptions and offer a more stable supply route, particularly during periods of geopolitical volatility in West Asia.
However, engineering challenges remain significant, with parts of the proposed route expected to lie at depths exceeding 3,000 metres below sea level, making it one of the most ambitious subsea infrastructure concepts ever discussed globally.
Government draws line under speculation
While the proposal continues to be discussed in policy and academic circles as a long-term strategic option, the Petroleum Ministry’s statement makes clear that there is no active movement or formal engagement on the project at present.
For now, officials say, India’s energy strategy remains focused on existing import routes, diversified suppliers and maritime security measures, even as global tensions keep critical supply corridors under close watch.
First Published:
June 16, 2026, 12:54 IST
End of Article
