Bharat is Ready to Change the Global Coal Story on June 24; Check How?

India imports over 83% of its oil. But sitting beneath its soil are 378 billion tonnes of coal — and the government has a plan to change that equation.

The Ministry of Coal On June 24, hosts a special session on Clean Coal Technologies and Coal Gasification in Gurugram, part of India's BRICS Presidency for 2026. The theme is Energy for All. The subtext is sharper: India is sitting on roughly 401 billion tonnes of coal and 47 billion tonnes of lignite, the world's fifth-largest reserve, and it has decided to stop treating that pile as something to simply burn for electricity.

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The plan is coal gasification, a thermo-chemical process that turns solid coal into syngas, which then becomes methanol, ammonia, urea, synthetic natural gas and a list of industrial chemicals India currently buys from abroad. In May 2026, the Union Cabinet approved a ₹37,500 crore scheme to push it, stacked on top of an ₹8,500 crore package from January 2024. 

The National Coal Gasification Mission, launched in 2021, wants 100 million tonnes of coal gasified by 2030.

But why is India putting such a strong focus on coal gasification—and what could it mean for the country's energy future?

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Why India Chose Coal Gasification as Its BRICS Showcase?

India's BRICS theme for 2026 is simple: Energy for All. The focus is on energy security, universal access, and innovation. A key part of this strategy is coal gasification, which helps convert coal into cleaner fuels and industrial chemicals.

India's BRICS theme for 2026 is simple: Energy for All. The focus is on energy security, universal access, and innovation. The government launched the Coal Gasification Mission in 2020. The target is to gasify 100 million tonnes of coal by 2030. Workers are already building the infrastructure. India is taking concrete steps to expand cleaner coal use.

India Imports 83% of Its Oil. This Process Could Change That

Most people have never heard of coal gasification. But it could become a key part of India's energy and industrial growth. The process converts coal into syngas. That syngas produces methanol, ammonia, urea, synthetic natural gas, and other industrial chemicals.

Why it matters for India:

• India imports around 83% of its oil, over 90% of its methanol, and 13–15% of its ammonia needs.
• Coal gasification can help replace these imports with domestic production.
• The government has announced ₹8,500 crore in incentives and an additional ₹37,500 crore support package for coal gasification projects.
• The initiative is expected to attract nearly ₹2.5 lakh crore in investments and create large-scale employment.
• It will support the growth of industries such as fertilisers, methanol, hydrogen, and petrochemicals.

India is not just aiming to reduce imports. It is building a new industrial ecosystem around coal-based manufacturing, a move that is drawing attention from other BRICS nations.

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What the Ministry of Coal Has Said?

Union Coal and Mines Minister G. Kishan Reddy has described coal gasification as a national priority. He said that amid global economic uncertainty and supply chain disruptions, India needs to strengthen its domestic industries.

According to Reddy, coal gasification can help reduce imports of methanol, ammonia, fertilisers, and other key chemicals. He added that India has the resources and technology to become a global leader in the sector. To support this goal, the government has announced nearly ₹46,000 crore in financial assistance for coal gasification projects.

PM Modi at BRICS 2025

Hon'ble Prime Minister mentioned, "Our goal will be to redefine BRICS as Building Resilience and Innovation for Cooperation and Sustainability. Just as we brought inclusivity to our G-20 Presidency and placed the concerns of the Global South at the forefront of the agenda, similarly, during our Presidency of BRICS, we will advance this forum with a people-centric approach and the spirit of ‘Humanity First."

Why Other Nations Are Watching India's Next Move

The Power Ministry said the meeting will give India a chance to showcase its progress in building a sustainable and future-ready energy system. As BRICS Chair, India will spotlight energy security, strong supply chains, and innovation. It will also highlight the priorities of the Global South.

The June 24 meeting is part of a wider BRICS energy programme. It also includes the 11th BRICS Energy Ministers' Meeting on June 25–26. The BRICS Youth Energy Summit follows on August 17–18, 2026.

Through these events, India aims to lead the energy conversation in the Global South. The key question now is simple. Will other BRICS nations follow India's lead — or go their own way?

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India Has Made Its Bet. Now the World Watches

Coal gasification will not make coal clean the way solar or wind energy is clean. But it could make coal far more useful — at a time when India cannot leave its largest energy resource sitting idle. The real test is simple. Can India build fast enough, cheap enough, and at scale? And will other BRICS nations — many sitting on their own coal reserves — decide to follow? India has placed its bet. The answer from the rest of the world comes next