UAE-India energy ties will get stronger: Indian minister

UAE-India energy ties will get stronger: Indian minister

In an exclusive interview with Khaleej Times, Indian Minister for Petroleum Natural Gas and Steel Dharmendra Pradhan, says the potential for partnerships in the country's energy's sector is huge. He welcomes more UAE investment while lauding the role played by the UAE leadership Sultan Al Jaber, UAE Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, and CEO of Adnoc in strengthening energy ties between the two countries.

How do you assess the present status of the India-UAE partnership in the energy sector? What are the possible areas of future expansion with the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (Adnoc)?

India and UAE have elevated their relationship to the strategic partnership level, with energy as the key pillar during the last six years. India sees UAE as a close trading and investment partner in oil and gas as well as in the renewable sector.

UAE has been one of the biggest partners in the hydrocarbon sector of India with a trade value of $ 19.9 billion during last year. Let me illustrate — the UAE has become India's third largest source for crude oil, accounting for 10% of total crude oil imports; the second