Archive · 6 Aug 2026
India Denies US Ethanol Import Deal and ATF Blending Plans
The Indian government told people not to worry about news saying it would buy ethanol from America to mix into fuel.
Ethanol is a kind of fuel made from plants.
The government said it has not promised to buy ethanol from the United States.
It said its fuel decisions are based only on what India needs.
The government also said it will not mix ethanol with airplane fuel.
Someone important named Arvind Kejriwal shared a news story that said mixing ethanol into plane fuel could be dangerous.
The minister in charge of airplanes said this story is false.
He explained that ethanol and Sustainable Aviation Fuel are different things.
Sustainable Aviation Fuel is a safe fuel that many countries use.
The government said spreading fear about plane safety is wrong.
India's Commerce and Industry Ministry said no commitments were made on importing US ethanol for fuel blending in India-US trade talks.
The ministry called media reports of large-scale US ethanol imports 'baseless and factually incorrect.'
Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu dismissed claims of blending ethanol with ATF as 'completely false and irresponsible.'
The minister said ethanol and Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) are entirely different, with SAF certified by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO).
Former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal had shared a media report questioning flight safety over what he called 'adulterated aviation fuel.'
- Who
- India's Commerce and Industry Ministry, Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu, and former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal
- What
- The government issued clarifications denying any ethanol import commitments in India-US trade talks and rejecting claims of a proposal to blend ethanol with aviation turbine fuel
- When
- Thursday
- Where
- New Delhi, India
- Why
- To counter media reports and a social media post by Arvind Kejriwal that the government said spread 'baseless' misinformation about ethanol blending in aviation fuel
Government
Arvind Kejriwal (Opposition)
Ethanol-ATF blending
Government
There is no proposal to blend ethanol with ATF; the claim is 'completely false and irresponsible' and creates unnecessary anxiety among passengers.
Arvind Kejriwal (Opposition)
Citing a media report, Kejriwal warned that an aircraft engine 'just might stop in the air' on what he called 'adulterated aviation fuel.'
US ethanol imports
Government
No commitments or concessions were made in India-US trade talks; ethanol procurement is guided solely by domestic policy requirements.
Arvind Kejriwal (Opposition)
Media reports suggested India is importing, or plans to import, large volumes of US ethanol for fuel blending purposes.
- Country
- India
- Ethanol import commitment
- None made in India-US trade talks (per government)
- US ethanol import reports
- Called 'baseless and factually incorrect' by Commerce and Industry Ministry
- Ethanol-ATF blending proposal
- None exists, says Civil Aviation Minister
- SAF certification body
- International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO)
- Claim origin
- Social media post by Arvind Kejriwal citing a media report
- Statement date
- Thursday