Houston, United States, Sep 22 (UNI) India and the US are looking for enhanced partnership in energy sector and as a testimony to that Gujarat-based Petronet signed an MoU for LNG import with US liquefied natural gas (LNG) developer Tellurian Inc on Sunday.
'It is impossible to come to Houston and not talk energy! Had a wonderful interaction with leading energy sector CEOs. We discussed methods to harness opportunities in the energy sector. Also witnessed the signing of MoU between Tellurian and Petronet LNG,' said Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his tweet after his first official engagement in the form of Round Table meet with CEOs of major players in energy sector.
On the sidelines of Prime Minister's meeting Energy Sector CEOs, Houston-headquartered Tellurian and Petronet LNG Limited India (PLL) signed the MoU for up to 5 Million tonnes of LNG through equity investment in Driftwood.
Prime Minister Modi concluded a fruitful interaction with top energy sector CEOs at a round table meeting in Houston, MEA spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said in a tweet.
'Getting straight to business. PM Narendra Modi just concluded a fruitful interaction with top energy sector CEOs at a Round Table meeting in Houston.'
The discussion focused on working together for energy security and expanding mutual investment opportunities between India and the US, he wrote.
"Further energising India-USA friendship. Among the first engagements of PM Narendra Modi
in Houston is a meeting with CEOs from the energy sector. India and USA are looking to diversify cooperation in this sector," the missive in the micro blogging site by PMO said earlier.
Top representatives and CEOs from major energy sector players like BP, Exxon Mobil, Schlumberger, Baker Hughes, Vinmar International, Cheniere Energy, Dominion Energy, IHS Markit, and Emerson Electric Company attended the meet.
US Ambassador to India Ken Juster was also present. Mr Modi was accompanied by External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar, Foreign Secretary VIjay Gokhale and Indian ambassador to the US Harsh Vardhan Shringla at the meeting.
'It’s a bright afternoon here in Houston. Looking forward to a wide range of programmes in this dynamic and energetic city," PM Modi said in his first tweet since arrival here.
India is expanding its pipeline network and building new LNG import terminals to encourage the use of cleaner fuel.
Mr Modi has set a target to raise the share of natural gas in India's overall energy mix to 15 per cent in the next few years from about 6.5 per cent
Energy is the major new component in the Indo-US trade mix. India imports approximately USD 4 billion worth of oil and gas from the United States.
The Indian side hopes that the interaction that Prime Minister will have with the energy majors of the United States will underline India as an important market but will also provide scope to discuss investment and other possible opportunities.
Notably, Houston is the energy capital of the world and has nine refineries producing over 2.3 million barrels of crude oil every day.
The city is home to the headquarters of more than 500 oil and gas exploration and production firms in the country and hundreds of firms providing supporting activities.
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