India Opens Coastal Waters for Deep-Sea Exploration, PM Modi Hails 'Samrudha Manthan'

Prime Minister Narendra Modi celebrated a significant shift in India's approach to its maritime resources, announcing that nearly all coastal waters are now accessible for deep-sea exploration. Speaking from the Red Fort on India's 80th Independence Day, Modi declared that a "flawed mindset" had previously designated 99 percent of these waters as "no-go areas," effectively halting offshore exploration. He characterized this past approach as a "poverty of thought" and affirmed that this stance has been reversed.

Under the "Samrudhha Manthan" initiative, previously restricted areas have been transformed into "go-ahead areas" for active exploration and the discovery of new undersea mineral reserves. Modi noted that last year's "Samudra Manthan" initiative has been accelerated with an allocation of ₹85,000 crore for this purpose. This push for offshore exploration is critical for India, the world's third-largest crude oil consumer, aiming to reduce its substantial import bill and enhance energy security, especially in light of recent global supply disruptions.

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We have now opened up those areas--previously off-limits--as "go-ahead areas," and we are actively pursuing exploration and the discovery of new reserves beneath the sea.

Modi also detailed advancements in energy infrastructure and access. He pointed out the dramatic expansion of piped gas distribution, which has grown from reaching 70 cities before 2014 to 700 cities today. Similarly, the number of households receiving piped gas has surged from approximately 20-22 lakh to 1.75 crore. The nation's solar energy capacity has also seen a monumental increase, rising from just two gigawatts to 160 gigawatts.

The "Samudra Manthan - the National Offshore Exploration Scheme," approved on July 31, 2026, with a Phase-I outlay of ₹84,084 crore up to FY 2030-31, aims to bolster the hydrocarbon exploration and production sector. This strategic move acknowledges that much of India's future oil and gas potential lies offshore, requiring advanced exploration techniques, reliable geological data, and a robust domestic supply chain to unlock these vital resources.

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In these 12 years, we have expanded that reach to 700 cities. That is the pace of progress; that is the scale of expansion.