The platform, with a total target project cost of $3 billion, aims to strengthen energy security, support growing LNG demand, expand US energy exports, and address critical infrastructure shortages in the Indo-Pacific region. | Photo Credit: iStockphoto

In a significant move, the US will invest $1.5 billion, or roughly ₹14,400 crore, through an investment platform to create energy infrastructure, including liquefied natural gas (LNG), in India and Southeast Asia.

“The Investment Platform invests in Asia energy infrastructure to strengthen US allies’ energy security and expand US LNG and other hydrocarbon, equipment, and service exports to the Indo-Pacific,” said the US International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) on Wednesday.

“In partnership with US infrastructure investor I Squared Capital, DFC will invest $1.5 billion to establish an investment platform to facilitate buildout of energy security infrastructure across the Indo-Pacific, focusing primarily on South and Southeast Asia,” the agency said.

DFC Board of Directors approved $2.5 billion in new strategic investments aimed at strengthening US supply chains, expanding energy exports, supporting regional peace & stability, and bolstering economic cooperation.

These deals reflect DFC’s continued use of private capital as a core instrument of American economic statecraft, deploying debt, equity, and political risk insurance across the capital stack and investment structures to advance US strategic objectives, the US government’s international investment arm said.

Single largest investment

“This deal represents the single largest project investment in DFC’s history,” the investment agency said.

The target DFC investment of $1.5 billion will be through a combination of debt and equity financing.

The investment platform will mobilise US private capital to develop LNG and other energy infrastructure in the region. The total target project cost is $3 billion.

“The platform will aim to address shortage of critical energy infrastructure in these markets that limits energy security, drives price volatility and constrains industrial growth, and look to expand US natural gas and related energy exports to the region,” DFC said.

Rationale

These deals exemplify the shift in DFC’s strategy. The investments approved in today’s (Wednesday) successful board meeting will develop critical infrastructure in Southeast Asia, said DFC CEO Ben Black.

South and Southeast Asia are experiencing strong LNG demand growth, driven by rising power needs, declining domestic gas production in certain markets, and a shift away from coal, DFC said.

“Given the region’s expected economic growth, DFC believes that reliable LNG and other petroleum products infrastructure will be important to meet energy demand.

“The Infrastructure Platform will seek to address this opportunity by acquiring controlling stakes in LNG and other petroleum products supply chain assets across key South and Southeast Asian markets, with a focus on import and storage, transmission and distribution logistics, end-use infrastructure, and related marine assets,” it added.

Published on June 4, 2026