New Delhi, Feb 2 (ANI): Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Murli Deora has said that India is committed for greater ventures with Libyan companies. Deora, who is on three-day visit to Libya, said this after meeting Great Al Fateh Revolution party leader Colonel Muammar Gaddafi.

During the meeting, Deora highlighted the growing business relations between India and Libya in different sectors of economy, including construction, power, IT, Oil and Natural gas, an official release said.

Recalling the visit of erstwhile Prime Minister Indira Gandhi to Libya in 1984, he pointed out that Colonel Gaddafi has tremendous affection amongst the people of India. olonel Gaddafi emphasized that the emerging trends suggest that bigger nationalities are coming closer, which can be seen with the evolution of the European and African Unions. He also recalled the strong bilateral friendly relations from the nostalgic days of Nehru-Naseer era.

Emphasising the need for strengthening the relationship between India and Libya, Colonel Gaddafi suggested that the frequency of high-level visits between the two countries should be increased.

Deora informed Colonel Gaddafi that oil PSUs of India are endeavouring to ensure greater participation in the process of developing Libyan Oil and Gas sector.

Indian oil PSUs have already obtained exploration license in six oil blocks in Libya. They have also proposed to revamp the refineries as Joint Venture partners, develop Libyan discovered oil fields, set up city gas projects in Libya, and help capacity building of Libyan energy personnel through state-of-art training facilities.

Deora was accompanied by Petroleum Secretary M.S. Srinivasan, Indian Ambassador to Libya D. P. Srivastava, Petroleum Ministry Joint Secretary (Exploration) A K Jain, Chairman Indian Oil S. Behuria, CMD Oil India M.R. Pasrija and MD ONGC Videsh R.S. Butola.

Deora also met Libyan Minister for Economy, Trade and Investment Ali Abdallah Al Essawi. (ANI)