New Delhi, Aug. 15 -- Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his address to the nation from the ramparts of the Red Fort on Independence Day on Friday, announced the National Deep Water Exploration Mission, aiming to explore oil and gas reserves in the sea.

Terming it a "Samudra Manthan," he said the initiative will be executed in Mission Mode, highlighting India's push for energy self-reliance.

"We are now also heading towards 'Samudra Manthan'. Taking this forward, we aim to operate in Mission Mode to explore the oil and gas reserves in the sea. So, India is about to launch the National Deep Water Exploration Mission," PM Modi said.

Earlier this year in February, the Ministry of Earth Sciences said, "the deep-sea exploration includes biodiv...