Port Louis [Mauritius], August 22 (ANI): Union Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri on Friday held a "fruitful meeting" with Mauritius Minister of Energy and Public Utilities Patrick Gervais Assirvaden and discussed India-Mauritius cooperation in biofuels and energy security.
"Had a very fruitful meeting with H.E. Mr. Patrick Gervais Assirvaden, Minister of Energy and Public Utilities of Mauritius. We discussed how India continues to be a dependable partner and trusted friend of Mauritius, including during times of crisis, and how biofuels can play a central role in strengthening energy security and supporting rural livelihoods," Puri said in a post on X.
He welcomed the cooperation between the Global Biofuels Alliance Secretariat and Mauritius in developing the Biofuels Country Landscape - Policy Framework, calling it an important step towards advancing Mauritius' energy transition through biofuels.
"Welcomed the cooperation between the Global Biofuels Alliance Secretariat and Mauritius in developing the Biofuels Country Landscape - Policy Framework, which is an important step towards advancing Mauritius' energy transition through biofuels," Puri wrote.
The Union Minister said both sides also explored sharing India's experience in ethanol blending, SATAT/GOBARdhan initiatives and Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), while inviting a technical delegation from Mauritius to visit operational biofuel and Compressed Bio-Gas (CBG) plants in India.
"Also explored sharing India's experience in ethanol blending, SATAT/GOBARdhan and Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), and invited a technical delegation from Mauritius to visit operational biofuel and CBG plants in India," the post concluded.
Had a very fruitful meeting with H.E. Mr. Patrick Gervais Assirvaden, Minister of Energy and Public Utilities of Mauritius.
We discussed how India continues to be a dependable partner and trusted friend of Mauritius, including during times of crisis, and how biofuels can play a… pic.twitter.com/bM6sX6N0YL
The development comes after India and Mauritius signed a Government-to-Government Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on oil and gas cooperation, along with a five-year agreement between Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IndianOil) and the State Trading Corporation (STC) of Mauritius for assured supply of petroleum products.
Under the agreement, IndianOil will supply petrol, diesel, marine gas oil and Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF) to Mauritius, ensuring long-term supply certainty, greater price stability and enhanced energy security.
Puri said India's energy strength, including its refining capacity and position as a net exporter of refined petroleum products, is allowing the country to support the energy security of partner nations.
"India's energy strength is now a strength for our friends as well," he said.
He added that India currently has 23 refineries processing around 270 million metric tonnes of crude oil annually, and its refining capacity is being expanded to meet growing global energy needs.
"India's refining power is now not just our strength, but also our responsibility and our global credibility," Puri said.
The minister said the India-Mauritius partnership reflects a shift from meeting immediate fuel requirements towards long-term cooperation in energy security and cleaner alternatives.
"This G2G and B2B agreements mark a new chapter in India-Mauritius energy cooperation," Puri said, adding that Mauritius' new biofuel policy framework opens the way for deeper collaboration beyond crude oil and refined petroleum products. (ANI)
