Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Marketing Executive Director Ashok Kumar has stressed the urgent need for India to boost domestic oil and gas production, calling current output levels of just 10–12% inadequate for the country’s economic ambitions. He said geopolitical disruptions highlight the risks of heavy import dependence and underlined the importance of strengthening energy security. Kumar highlighted the government-backed “Samudra Manthan” initiative aimed at exploring untapped reserves, especially in deep and ultra-deep waters. ONGC has already begun drilling in regions like the Andaman basin and is focusing on the East Coast, which is believed to hold significant hydrocarbon potential.