Oil diplomacy: Pradhan’s charm offensive floors African leaders

Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Petroleum and Natural Gas Dharmendra Pradhan met leaders of several African countries on the margins of 3rd India Africa Forum Summit (IAFS) from October 28 to 30. He called on the presidents of Nigeria and Ghana, vice-presidents of Angola and Tanzania, prime minister of Mozambique, minister of oil and gas of South Sudan, minister of world affairs of Algeria and minister of economic affairs of Gabon. 

Accompanied by the petroleum and natural gas secretary, senior officials of his ministry, the CMDs of Indian Oil Corporation Ltd (IOCL), Oil India Ltd (OIL) and Engineers India Ltd (EIL), and the MD of ONGC Videsh Ltd (OVL), Pradhan conveyed to the leader of the African nations that India is keen to intensify its hydrocarbon cooperation with these countries in upstream, midstream and downstream areas. 

He stressed the potential to graduate to an energy partnership between India and the African nations. Pradhan  also accompanied Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his bilateral meetings with the presidents of Nigeria, Sudan, South Sudan and Gabon, prime minister of Mozambique, and vice-presidents of Tanzania and Angola. 

Cooperation in the oil and gas sector was one of the key areas discussed during these meetings. It was also decided that the 4th India-Africa Hydrocarbon Conference would be held at New Delhi on January 21 and 22, 2016.  

India imports about 33 mmt crude oil from Africa, which constitutes 18 per cent of our total crude import. Our national oil and gas companies have invested about $$ 8 billion in oil and gas assets in Mozambique, Sudan and South Sudan. 

EIL has been associated with the refining sector in several African countries as well. During the Urga 

Sangam on March 27, 2015, Prime Minister Modi had sought an increase in India’s focus on Africa for our country’s energy security.