New Delhi, Aug 21: India is moving to expand its oil refining capacity to 300 million metric tonnes per annum (MMTPA) as global refining capacity faces uncertainty, Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Hardeep Singh Puri said on Friday, while highlighting a new phase in the country’s energy partnership with Mauritius through long-term government and business agreements.
Puri said India, currently the world’s third-largest refiner, is increasing its refining capacity from 272 MMTPA towards 300 MMTPA. He said the expansion reflects the country’s role as a reliable energy partner at a time of uncertainty in global refining capacity.
The minister said the India-Mauritius energy partnership reflects a shared commitment to predictability, stability and mutual prosperity. Referring to agreements signed on Thursday, he described them as a landmark in bilateral energy relations and another step in the longstanding relationship between the two countries.
India and Mauritius signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on cooperation in the oil and gas sector. Puri signed the agreement with Mauritius Minister of Commerce and Consumer Protection John Michael Tzoun Sao Yeung Sik Yuen as both countries sought to deepen bilateral energy cooperation.
Alongside the MoU, IndianOil and the State Trading Corporation (STC) of Mauritius signed a five-year agreement under which IndianOil will supply petrol, diesel, marine gas oil and Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF) to Mauritius. According to the minister, the arrangement is intended to provide the island nation with long-term supply certainty, greater price stability and enhanced energy security.
Puri said the government-to-government and business-to-business agreements mark a new phase in India-Mauritius energy cooperation. He said the agreements position IndianOil as a trusted anchor supplier to Mauritius for the next three years while ensuring stable and reliable supplies of petroleum products.
Highlighting India’s refining capabilities, the minister said the country operates 23 refineries with an annual processing capacity of nearly 270 million metric tonnes. As a net exporter of refined petroleum products, he said India views its refining capacity as a responsibility to remain a dependable, transparent and stable energy partner, particularly for countries in the Indo-Pacific region.
Puri also noted that Mauritius, a founding member of the Global Biofuels Alliance (GBA), has developed a new National Biofuel Policy Framework with GBA support. He said the framework creates opportunities for broader cooperation between the two countries in clean and sustainable fuels beyond crude oil and refined petroleum products.
Tracing the partnership back to 2001, when IndianOil began operations in Mauritius through IndianOil Mauritius Limited, Puri said India remains committed to supporting Mauritius’ long-term energy security while further strengthening bilateral cooperation
