Murli Deora to lead high-level delegation to Vietnam

New Delhi, July 20 (ANI): Union Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Murli Deora will lead a high-level delegation to Vietnam on Wednesday as part of the efforts to enhance the reach of Indian petroleum companies.

The delegation will include the Secretary, Petroleum and Natural Gas, senior officials of the Ministry, Chairmen and CEOs of the Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC), ONGC Videsh Limited (OVL), Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) and GAIL India Limited.

Deora Minister will call on Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung and also participate in the East Asia Energy Ministers' Meeting at the invitation of his counterpart Vu Huy Hoang.

He is also scheduled to have separate bilateral meetings with other Ministers participating in the conference.

Speaking ahead his departure, Deora said that the economic growth of India has to be linked with security of energy supplies and this can only be addressed by sourcing energy from diverse primary energy sources.

He mentioned that various models of participation such as direct anchoring and collaborative engagement are being exercised to enhance the reach of our petroleum companies with comprehensive Government support and this visit was one such step in that direction.

India has strong relationship with Vietnam and both sides have taken deep interest in each other's economic development.

Given the cordial relations, ONGC Videsh Limited was assigned Block 06.1, through Govt.-to-Govt. interactions on nomination basis on May 19 1988.

This block in Vietnam also happens to be the first equity oil and gas project of ONGC Videsh Lomited. (ANI)