New Delhi, Aug 22: India and Mauritius have taken a significant step towards strengthening their energy partnership with a five-year agreement under which IndianOil will ensure the island nation’s long-term supply of essential petroleum products.
The agreement between IndianOil and the State Trading Corporation (STC) of Mauritius) was signed during Union Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Hardeep Singh Puri’s visit to Mauritius. It will provide assured supplies of petrol, diesel, Marine Gas Oil and Aviation Turbine Fuel, giving Mauritius greater certainty at a time when global energy markets remain vulnerable to disruptions and price fluctuations.
The government said the arrangement will help Mauritius reduce its exposure to international price volatility and strengthen its energy security. It is also expected to support the country’s transport, aviation, maritime activity and wider economic needs by ensuring a more dependable flow of fuel.
The agreement marks an important expansion of India’s role as a reliable energy partner in the Indian Ocean region. The government said it is the first long-term petroleum products supply agreement by an Indian public sector oil marketing company outside South Asia in recent years.
The supply pact was signed alongside a Government-to-Government Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation in the oil and gas sector between India and Mauritius. The broader agreement covers petroleum products, capacity building and training for Mauritian officials, as well as cooperation in biofuels through knowledge sharing, research and training.
India’s expanding refining capacity has strengthened its ability to support energy requirements in partner countries. With 23 refineries producing around 267 million metric tonnes of refined petroleum products annually, India has emerged as a major refining hub and a net exporter of refined fuels.
The partnership also builds on a relationship that has been developing for more than two decades. IndianOil began serving the Mauritian market through IndianOil Mauritius Limited in 2001, establishing a long-term presence in the country’s energy sector.
The latest agreement also gives fresh momentum to cooperation in clean energy. Mauritius is a founding member of the Global Biofuels Alliance, and India and Mauritius are working together on knowledge exchange and policy development to explore the potential of biofuels.
For Mauritius, the five-year arrangement offers greater confidence in fuel availability and protection against sudden market disruptions. For India, it strengthens its position as a dependable energy partner and deepens a longstanding relationship with a key Indian Ocean nation.
The agreement reflects a broader India-Mauritius effort to build a more secure, resilient and sustainable energy partnership while supporting the economic growth and connectivity of both countries.