A recent report by global energy think tank Ember warns that India's annual methane emissions from coal mining could more than double by 2029 compared to 2019, as the country accelerates coal production to meet its growing energy needs.

India's plans to expand coal mining could double emissions of the potent greenhouse gas methane from its domestic coal sector by 2029, threatening its climate goals, a report warned Thursday.The planned expansions could more than double coal mine-related methane emissions by 2029 from a decade earlier,

Cutting emissions by capturing methane from coal mines and substituting it for imported gas could save India up to £741m

Coal India Ltd. is planning to invest about 670 billion rupees ($8 billion) to build coal-fired power plants close to its mines, signaling the fast-growing economy will remain reliant on the fossil fuel for decades to come.

"Coal India and some other companies are looking at Argentina," Rao told reporters on the sidelines of an industry event.

Indias coal mining methane emissions could rise by 106% by 2029, driven by increased coal production to meet energy demands, warns Ember report.

India has an opportunity to curb coal mine methane emissions and achieve economic gains. Ember's analysis indicates that with effective mitigation strategies, India could reduce these emissions by up to 35% annually by 2030.