India reaching out to neighbours to extend energy ties: Pradhan

Union Minister for Oil and Natural Gas Dharmendra Pradhan said that India is reaching out to its neighbouring countries to ensure better relationship and cooperation in the energy sector.

While addressing at a conference on 'Assessing India's Connectivity with its Neighbourhood' here, Pradhan on Friday said that the Centre's conviction of 'Neighbourhood First' impressed that better connectivity will bring greater prosperity in an equitable and balanced manner.

"Our conviction of 'Neighbourhood First' impresses that better connectivity will bring greater prosperity in an equitable and balanced manner. We believe that infrastructure connectivity to our neighbourhood and extended region offers game-changing possibilities for the entire region," he said.

The Union Minister further said that India has aimed to secure mutually profitable cooperations with its neighbours through various infrastructural projects.

"Energy is one of most important aspects of development, we have aimed to secure mutually profitable cooperations with our neighbours in East, South-East, South and West through various infrastructural projects which will lead to a win-win situation for the entire region," Pradhan said.

He further said that ushering in an era of energy indepence and security in the region is of mutual interest for the well being of the people.

"Both producers and consumers should join hands to promote flexible and transparent global markets and promote infrastructure for energy security and connectivity," he added.