India, Libya set to boost bilateral cooperation

India and Libya discussed ways to boost their relationship, particularly in the IT and Oil sector during talks visiting Petroleum Minister Murli Deora had with Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi in Tripoli.

During the meeting with the Indian minister in Sirte, outside Tripoli, Gaddafi stressed on the need for more frequent visits at the highest-level between the two countries, Indian officials told PTI on Friday.

Deora highlighted the growing business relations between the two countries in different sectors of the economy including construction, power, IT, oil and natural gas.

The minister discussed the restructuring process going on in the Indian Oil PSUs that would enhance its role in the Libyan oil sector.

He said the Indian PSUs have obtained exploration licences in six oil blocks -- four as operators -- and propose to participate as joint venture partners in the revamping of refineries, development of Libyan oil fields, gas projects and help in the capacity building of its energy personnel through state-of-the-art

training facilities.

Petroleum Secretary M S Srinivasan, Indian Ambassador to Libya D P Srivastava, Chairman Indian Oil S Behuria, CMD Oil India M R Pasrija and MD ONGC Videsh R S Butola were present at the meeting.

Deora also delivered two letters -- one from Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and other from President APJ Abdul Kalam to the Libyan leader.

"The Indian prime minister and President in their letters hailed the close relations between the two countries and growing development of these relations," the Libyan official news agency said.