India, China discuss deepening energy cooperation as Chinese oil executive meets Hardeep Puri

Beijing, India and China discussed deepening energy cooperation as a senior Chinese oil corporation executive met Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Hardeep Singh Puri in New Delhi on Monday.

China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC) Chairman Dai Houliang met with Puri in New Delhi, with the two sides exchanging views on deepening energy cooperation, official media here reported, citing CNPC.

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The meeting comes after last Saturday's meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping.

It also comes in the middle of a deepening West Asia crisis and Houthi rebels stepping up attacks on Saudi Arabian oil facilities.

China and India are the top two importers of crude oil.

Speaking at the meeting, Dai said that in recent years, the leaders of China and India have met on multiple occasions and reached important consensus on viewing each other as partners and development opportunities, providing direction for bilateral relations and laying a solid foundation for deeper practical cooperation in the energy sector.

CNPC is willing to work with the Indian side to implement the important consensus reached by the two countries' leaders, strengthen communication and coordination, and explore more opportunities for cooperation in oil and gas, new energy, and green and low-carbon development, state-run Global Times quoted Dai as saying.

The two sides could also work together to increase their voice and influence in global energy governance and contribute to the stability and sustainable development of the global energy market, Dai said.

The head of the Chinese oil and gas giant also expressed willingness to strengthen communication and coordination with the Indian side and explore more cooperation opportunities in oil and gas, new energy, and green and low-carbon development.

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He also said the two sides could work together to enhance their voice and influence in international energy governance and contribute to the stability and sustainable development of the global energy market.

Officials and executives from India's Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, Oil and Natural Gas Corporation and Indian Oil Corporation also attended the meeting.

The meeting came as energy cooperation has become an increasingly important part of the BRICS agenda.

At the just concluded 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi over the weekend, leaders adopted a joint declaration that recognised energy security as an important foundation for social and economic development, national security and the well-being of all countries, and called for ensuring the smooth flow of global trade, supply chains and energy in accordance with relevant international law, China's state-run Xinhua News Agency reported.