New Delhi, May 28 -- The ongoing crisis in West Asia has fundamentally altered global energy and commodity supply chains, exposing the risks of India's heavy dependence on imports and accelerating the country's push towards coal gasification as a strategic pillar of energy security and industrial self-reliance.

Addressing a roadshow to promote Surface Coal/Lignite Gasification, Coal Secretary Vikram Dev Dutt said the geopolitical disruptions have underlined the urgency of building domestic capabilities to shield the Indian economy from external shocks.

Referring to the conflict in West Asia, Dutt said it has "fundamentally altered global energy and commodity supply chains, exposing vulnerabilities arising from India's import dependence....