Import prospects of coal in a world setting

摘要

Coal is India's most abundant source of energy currently meeting over 60 percent of the energy requirement of the nation and fuels the industrial economy. As the nation's domestic resources of oil and gas are essentially limited, coal occupies a pivotal position in the energy scene and its sustainable development is crucial and imperative if only to provide for energy security and the burgeoning energy demand. Availability of affordable energy is also the key to economic development. The role of coal in India's energy future is therefore indisputable. It is in this context, Part I of the paper examines the world coal scenario and the forces at work and Part II deals with Indian coal scenario and prospects for imports.