India Rules Out US Ethanol Imports for Fuel Blending
Government says no concession or commitment made on fuel ethanol imports during India-US trade discussions
- Government rejects reports of India planning large-scale ethanol imports from the US.
- Ethanol used under India’s fuel-blending programme is sourced entirely from domestic producers.
- No concessions or commitments on US ethanol imports have been made in India-US trade talks.
- Centre says ethanol procurement will continue to follow India’s domestic policy requirements.
GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 6th Aug: The government on Thursday rejected reports suggesting that India is importing or plans to import large quantities of ethanol from the United States for fuel blending, calling such claims “baseless and factually incorrect.”
In an official clarification, the government said ethanol used for fuel blending under the Ethanol Blended with Petrol (EBP) Programme is sourced entirely from domestic producers.
“There is no import of ethanol for fuel blending from the U.S.,” the government said, dismissing speculation over a possible shift in the country’s ethanol procurement policy.
The government further clarified that no concession or commitment regarding the import of ethanol from the United States for fuel blending has been made during India-US trade discussions.
It said reports suggesting that India could change its policy to permit large-scale imports of US fuel ethanol were misleading.
The clarification comes amid increased public and political debate over India’s ethanol-blending policy and its implications for consumers, agriculture and the domestic energy sector.
The government maintained that India’s fuel-blending programme and ethanol procurement will continue to be governed solely by the country’s domestic policy requirements, with domestically produced ethanol remaining the source for the programme.
