Fuel Prices to Go Up? Dharmendra Pradhan Dials Saudi Oil Minister as US-Iran Tensions Spike Crude Rate
Petroleum Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Friday dialled his Saudi counterpart Khaled Al-Falih, expressing deep concern over the fresh spike in crude rates owing to the sabre-rattling between the United States and Iran.
New Delhi, June 22: Escalating tensions in the Persian Gulf spiked crude prices on Friday, triggering an alarm in importing nations. India, which depends on imported oil for 83 percent of its fuel needs, reached out to Iran's arch-rival Saudi Arabia urging the nation to enact measures to prevent volatility in global prices.
Petroleum Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Friday dialled his Saudi counterpart Khaled Al-Falih, expressing deep concern over the fresh spike in crude rates owing to the sabre-rattling between the United States and Iran. Donald Trump Approves Strikes on Iran to Avenge Downing of Drone, Then Abruptly Retracts Order
The brent crude prices had jumped by 5 per cent after reports said that Washington was planning strikes on select military installations in Iran to protest the downing of drone by Tehran on Thursday.
The prices, however, recovered by end of the day to final settle down at $65 per barrel.
Pradhan, in his phone conversation with Al-Falih, sought Riyadh's pro-active role in stabilising oil prices.
"Expressed concern on the developments in the Strait of Hormuz leading to rising crude oil price. Reiterated the sensitivity of Indian consumers to prevailing oil price volatility. Sought active role of Saudi Arabia within OPEC and OPEC Plus for keeping oil prices at reasonable levels," the Petroleum Minister said in a statement issued on Twitter.
Apart from discussing the oil pricing issue, Pradhan and Al-Falih also reviewed the progress in Saudi's investment into Indian energy sector.
Here's What Pradhan Tweeted:
Saudi's state-run oil production and marketing company, Aramco, has pledged investment in the Rs 40,000 mega refinery project in Maharashtra. The project, however, has failed to take off as the government was forced to withdraw from the location in Ratnagiri after protest by locals.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jun 22, 2019 10:03 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).