In a firm rebuttal, Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) has categorically denied media reports claiming the Indian government is seeking a staggering $30 billion from the company and its partner BP Plc. The energy-to-telecom conglomerate labeled the news as "factually incorrect" and irresponsible.
Reliance's Strong Denial and Official Stance
On Monday, December 29, 2025, Reliance Industries submitted an official filing to the stock exchanges addressing the controversial report. The company, led by Chairman Mukesh Ambani, stated that the contents of a news article titled "India claims $30 billion from Reliance Industries, BP for underproduction from gas field, sources say" were baseless. Reliance explicitly asserted, "There is NO claim of $30 Billion against Reliance and BP."
The company criticized the publication for relying on unnamed and unidentified sources, calling the act "inappropriate and irresponsible." Instead, Reliance clarified the factual position regarding the long-running dispute over the KG D6 block.
The Actual Claim and Legal Proceedings
In its detailed statement, Reliance Industries disclosed that the government's claim related to the KG D6 block is substantially lower. The actual amount under arbitration is approximately $247 million, a figure the company said it has consistently and appropriately disclosed in its annual audited financial statements.
The issues are part of a 14-year-old dispute. Hearings before a three-member arbitration tribunal concluded on November 7, 2025. The tribunal is expected to deliver its award sometime in the coming year. Legal experts suggest the losing party will likely challenge the decision in the Supreme Court of India.
Compliance and Future Course
Reliance Industries emphasized its commitment to legal and contractual obligations. "Reliance Industries Limited, together with its partner BP has at all times complied with its contractual and legal obligations and take strong exception to mischaracterization of facts in the report," the company's filing read.
The conglomerate reiterated that the matter is sub-judice and will be decided by the country's judicial system in accordance with the law. On the day of the filing, Reliance's stock price on the National Stock Exchange closed 0.8% lower at ₹1,546.
As India's largest company by market capitalization, with major interests in energy, retail, telecom, and digital services, the outcome of this arbitration remains a point of significant interest for investors and the corporate sector.
