New Delhi – The Indian government has unequivocally rejected recent reports claiming the nation is importing, or has plans to import, significant quantities of ethanol from the United States for its domestic fuel blending program. The Ministry of Commerce and Industry issued a clarification, labeling such reports as "baseless and factually incorrect."
According to the Ministry's statement, the Ethanol Blended with Petrol (EBP) Programme relies entirely on ethanol sourced from domestic producers within India. This commitment to indigenous production is a cornerstone of the country’s energy policy and its ethanol push.
No Concessions in Trade Talks
The Ministry further clarified that no concessions or commitments regarding the import of ethanol for fuel blending from the U.S. have been made during ongoing India-US trade discussions. "Any suggestion of a policy change to permit large-scale imports of fuel ethanol from the US is misleading," the statement asserted.
India's fuel blending initiatives and ethanol procurement processes remain governed exclusively by its domestic policy requirements. This stance reinforces the government's focus on bolstering local agricultural and industrial sectors through the EBP program, which aims to reduce reliance on fossil fuels and support farmers.
Domestic Policy Framework Remains Key
Officials reiterated that the current policy framework ensures that all ethanol utilized for fuel blending under the EBP Programme is produced domestically. This approach aligns with India's broader economic goals of self-reliance and sustainable energy development.