The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and India called for adequate and timely investment across the oil industry as they seek to strengthen energy security and promote stability in global energy markets.
The appeal was made at the seventh high-level OPEC-India Energy Dialogue, held in New Delhi on Sept. 22, 2026, and co-chaired by India’s Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas Hardeep Singh Puri and OPEC Secretary General Haitham Al Ghais.
Discussions covered short-, medium- and long-term oil market outlooks, energy security and India’s expanding role in global economic growth and energy demand.
“As one of the world’s fastest-growing major economies, India will remain an important driver of global energy demand in the decades ahead,” Puri said.
“A sustained dialogue between producers and consumers is essential to support investment, strengthen energy resilience and ensure reliable energy supplies for global growth and development.”
The meeting took place against a backdrop of geopolitical uncertainty and market volatility, with both sides stressing the importance of cooperation to support a balanced and predictable energy market.
India, OPEC Deepen Energy Cooperation
Puri described the relationship between India and OPEC as complementary and mutually beneficial, highlighting the importance of India’s longstanding engagement with the organisation and its member countries.
He called for closer cooperation between OPEC and India to advance stability and transparency in global energy markets.
Al Ghais said engagement with India remains a priority for OPEC because of the country’s growing importance in the global energy system.
“Dialogue with India is a priority for OPEC because we recognize India’s importance within the current global energy landscape and the fact that this importance will only increase in the decades ahead,” he said.
He noted that the dialogue, launched in New Delhi in 2015, had now continued for 11 years.
Energy Demand Drives Long-Term Focus
Al Ghais commended India’s approach to addressing energy challenges, saying several of the country’s priorities align with those of OPEC.
The secretary general also praised India’s support for international cooperation and diplomacy in addressing global challenges.
“What is particularly heartening about our dialogue is the fact that the Indian Government has consistently advocated diplomacy and dialogue as the means of resolving the great challenges of our age,” he said.
The meeting recognised progress made through the dialogue, including technical-level cooperation, and underscored the need for deeper energy collaboration. The eighth high-level OPEC-India Energy Dialogue will be held in Vienna, Austria, at a mutually convenient date.
