New Delhi, June 14 -- India, having recently achieved a 20% ethanol blend in petrol ahead of schedule, aimed to escalate to 30% by 2030.

This push-central to its energy security and rural development-now confronts serious challenges.

The United States is pressing India in ongoing bilateral trade talks to open its market to US corn‑based ethanol, warning that resistance may imperil broader trade negotiations.

Ethanol blending has emerged as a key pillar of India's energy strategy: mixing ethanol (from sugarcane, maize) with petrol has saved over Rs.1.2 trillion in foreign exchange and reduced approximately 19.3 million tonnes of oil imports.

Moreover, it supports rural economies by creating agricultural demand, ...