Vedanta Limited Chairman Anil Agarwal has called for a focused national effort to accelerate exploration of minerals and hydrocarbons, highlighting the need to reduce India’s reliance on imports and build long-term resource security. In a recent LinkedIn post, Mr Agarwal underscored that nearly half of India’s imports are linked to natural resources sourced from beneath the ground. He pointed out that strengthening domestic exploration and production could significantly enhance economic resilience, create employment opportunities, and retain capital within the country.
Drawing parallels with India’s agricultural transformation, he noted that the country achieved food self-sufficiency through collective action and a nationwide movement. He suggested that a similar approach is required to unlock India’s geological potential, calling for a “people-led movement” to drive exploration and development in the natural resources sector.
Mr Agarwal highlighted that India possesses strong geological reserves, a young workforce, and growing entrepreneurial capabilities, all of which can support rapid expansion in exploration activities. He emphasised that the sector has the potential to attract a large share of the country’s workforce, particularly young professionals, creating new avenues for careers and livelihoods.
He also stressed the importance of policy flexibility and innovation-driven reforms to encourage wider participation. According to him, enabling an ecosystem that includes startups, private enterprises, and established industry players will be critical in scaling exploration efforts and achieving meaningful outcomes.
In his remarks, Mr Agarwal called for a shift in traditional approaches to resource development. He advocated for reforms in mining policies, including revisiting lease structures and exploring alternative frameworks beyond conventional auction systems, with a focus on increasing production and efficiency. At the same time, he reiterated that environmental safeguards must remain a priority.
He noted that several global markets have successfully implemented progressive policies to boost resource development and suggested that India is well-positioned to adopt similar strategies, supported by advancements in technology and a conducive policy environment.
Mr Agarwal further pointed out that reducing import dependence in natural resources would allow India to channel financial resources into domestic growth, rather than supporting job creation in other economies. Strengthening domestic capabilities in exploration and production, he said, will play a key role in advancing self-reliance and long-term economic stability.
The statement highlights the growing focus on resource security as a critical pillar of India’s development strategy, with increased emphasis on unlocking domestic potential through coordinated efforts across government, industry, and emerging enterprises.
