India's Coal Import Status: A Flat Performance Amidst Rising Domestic Output

India's coal imports remained stable at 201.30 million tonnes from April to December in the current financial year, showing little change from the previous year. The decline in December imports and a focus on increasing domestic production indicate a shift towards self-reliance in India's energy sector.

India witnessed steady coal imports at 201.30 million tonnes between April and December this fiscal year, slightly unchanged from the previous year's tally of 201.52 MT, as per mjunction services' data.

Declining demand and high domestic stock have led to a reduction in December's coal imports to 19.28 million tonnes, compared to 23.35 million tonnes in December last year. Vinaya Varma of mjunction highlighted these factors as key reasons for the import drop.

Coal and Mines Minister G Kishan Reddy emphasized India's drive to cut imports and boost domestic production. Coal plays a vital role in India's energy mix, accounting for 74 percent of power generation. This is supported by a 6.11 percent increase in domestic production over the same period.