Pradhan on Vienna visit for key OPEC meet from today

Dharmendra Pradhan, Minister of State (Independent Charge) of Petroleum and Natural Gas is visiting Vienna, Austria from today to address the 6th OPEC international seminar, officials said on Monday.

The minister is visiting Vienna “from June 2 – 4.  During the official visit, he will be addressing the 6th OPEC International Seminar organized by the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) as a special guest,” an official said. Pradhan will also be holding bilateral consultations with Secretary General of the OPEC. During this high profile <g data-gr-id="13">visit</g> the minister will be meeting top world leaders in Vienna.

“On the margins of the seminar, Pradhan will be meeting with the Oil and Gas Ministers of various countries like Russia, Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Bahrain, Angola and UAE,” an official said, elaborating about the agenda of the minister during the Austria visit. The OPEC invitation to Pradhan is a clear indication of India’s emergence as one of the world’s biggest energy consumers. Abdalla S El-Badri, secretary general of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), had extended an invitation to Pradhan for the organization’s international meet. This comes at a time when India, which features among top-five oil refiners, is looking to diversify its crude sourcing to Latin America.