New Delhi, Feb. 6 -- India is likely to increase imports of coking coal-used mainly in steel and cement production-from the US in a bid to enhance energy partnership, as part of a trade deal between the two countries, said two people aware of the development.

India is the largest buyer of US coal globally. Coking or metallurgical coal accounted for more than 40% of the total 20 million tonnes (mt) of coal imported by India from the US in FY25, according to coal ministry data.

India has the fourth-largest coal reserves in the world, but it does not have significant reserves of high-quality coking coal, prompting it to import 85% of its overall requirement. With plans to expand the domestic steel manufacturing capacity, India's coking coa...