India Eyes Broader Cooperation with Algeria in Hydrocarbons and Mining
Algerian Minister of State, Minister of Hydrocarbons and Mines, Mohamed Arkab, received on Tuesday the Secretary for Global South Cooperation at India’s Ministry of External Affairs, Neena Malhotra, where they discussed ways to strengthen bilateral cooperation in the fields of hydrocarbons, mining, and seawater desalination.
Malhotra is undertaking an official visit to Algeria as part of the seventh session of the Algeria-India political consultations.
On this occasion, the two sides praised the historical ties, bonds of friendship, and cooperation that unite Algeria and India, as well as the positive momentum in bilateral relations, particularly following the state visit of the President of India, Droupadi Murmu, to Algeria in October 2024, and the valuable talks she held with President Abdelmadjid Tebboune, the Algerian Ministry of Hydrocarbons and Mines said in a statement.
The discussions focused on ways to strengthen bilateral cooperation between Algeria and India in the fields of hydrocarbons, mining, and seawater desalination, with both sides reaffirming the solidity of the ties between the two countries and the prospects for their further development, the statement said.
The talks also addressed prospects for partnership in the petrochemical industries, fertilizer production, and phosphate processing, as well as opportunities for cooperation in the mining sector, including exploration, resource extraction, geological studies, mapping, and training, the source said, adding that Minister Arkab expressed Algeria’s aspiration for Indian companies to contribute to the development of new mining projects.
During the meeting, Arkab presented the investment opportunities available in the hydrocarbons sector, inviting Indian companies to participate in the development of oil and gas projects across all stages, from upstream to downstream, with a focus on exploration, production, infrastructure development, and engineering.
The Indian side also expressed interest in strengthening commercial cooperation with Sonatrach, particularly in the marketing of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and petroleum products, in addition to expanding areas of cooperation with Algeria, particularly in hydrocarbons, mining, the exchange of expertise, and technology transfer, aiming to strengthen the bilateral partnership.
