Algeria, India Explore Stronger Cooperation in Energy, Mining and Seawater Desalination
Algerian Minister of State, Minister of Hydrocarbons and Mines, Mohamed Arkab, examined on Tuesday, in Algiers, with Secretary at India’s External Affairs Ministry for Cooperation with the Countries of the South, Neena Malhotra, ways of boosting bilateral cooperation in hydrocarbons, mining and seawater desalination, the ministry said in a statement.
The meeting was held at the ministry’s headquarters as part of the official visit paid by the Indian official to Algeria, on the occasion of the holding of the 7th Algerian-Indian political consultations, attended by the Indian ambassador to Algeria, the Algerian ambassador to India, Secretary of State to the Minister of Hydrocarbons and Mines, in charge of Mines Karima Bakir Tafer, and a number of the sector’s top officials.
Both sides welcomed the historical ties and bonds of friendship and cooperation linking Algeria and India, while also praising the positive momentum in bilateral relations, particularly following the State visit paid by Indian President Droupadi Murmu to Algeria in October 2024, during which she held high-level talks with President of the Republic Abdelmadjid Tebboune.
The talks centered on opportunities to expand bilateral cooperation in the hydrocarbons sector, the statement added.
Arkab outlined the available investment opportunities and invited Indian companies to contribute to oil and gas projects through their various stages, from upstream to downstream, including in the fields of exploration, production, infrastructure development and engineering.
The Indian side also expressed keen interest in strengthening commercial ties with Sonatrach, particularly in the marketing of LNG and petroleum products.
The talks also covered partnership prospects in petrochemicals, fertilizer production and phosphate processing, as well as cooperation opportunities in the mining sector, including research, exploration, mineral resource extraction, geological studies, mapping and training.
The Minister of State conveyed Algeria’s desire to see Indian firms take part in developing new mining projects, while the Indian side expressed interest in broadening cooperation with Algeria, notably in hydrocarbons and mining, through expertise exchanges and technology transfer, with the aim of strengthening the bilateral partnership and maximizing the potential of both countries’ resources, the statement concluded.
