At the India-Africa Hydrocarbon Conference in Delhi on 8 December,
External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna preached the benefits
of 'a close alignment on major international issues and an abundance
of socio-political goodwill'. Some 15 African countries, including
Algeria, Angola, Benin, Egypt, Gabon,
Nigeria and Sudan, participated in the conference,
a much smaller turnout than at the November 2007 inaugural meeting.
Addressing the conclave, Petroleum Minister Murli Deora
said Delhi was eager to participate in new opportunities in Angola,
Ghana, Sudan, Nigeria, Uganda and Côte
d'Ivoire. India's hydrocarbon consumption has grown at an
average rate of 3.5% for the last decade and is expected to double
by 2020. Deora said Delhi's firms are interested in 'farm-in'
activity in Libya, Algeria and Egypt. Dehli also offered
expertise in laying oil and gas pipelines, establishing liquefied
petroleum gas terminals and depots, and marketing and distribution.
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