As China sees its coal output increasing by as much as 28 per cent, the coal supply for India continues to get dimmer. That is the reason why, while the hunger for coal grows more and more intense, the supply fails to match since there is lack of quantity as well as quality.    

The situation has become worse after the demand for same in the steel, cement and power industry has touched sky-high levels.

And now to be able to fill this gap, India is looking out for newer pastures in the countries of US, Colombia and Russia, where it can build up new coal locations.

News reports suggest that the US and Columbia will be exporting coal to India by the end of this year. India has already imported 1.4 million metric tons (Mt) of coal in February. It is double the figure of 720,000 Mt that was done in January.

This is inline with the strategy followed in China where millions of tons of coal every year.

Looking at this, the global players like Rio Tinto, BHP Billiton, Anglo Coal, Mechel, Cerrejon and Xstrata are trying to grab the situation that India provides.