·Strong GDP growth over the years has been fuelling the rise in energy demand. · The Energy Information Administration (ElA) estimated that India's consumption of petroleum and other liquid fuels will reach 5.65 million barrels per day (mbpd) in 2025 and 5.81 mbpd in 2026. · India's crude oil and petroleum products imports stood at 294.12 MMT in FY25 and 145.97 MMT in FY26*. · Private ports have played a major role at attracting crude import traffic. Notes: MMT - Million Metric Tonnes, FY26*- Until September 2025 Source: Handbook of Indian Statistics (RBl), Petroleum Planning and Analysis Cell, Ministry of Shipping