Guyana is ready to step up as a key energy supplier to meet India’s growing crude oil needs amid continuing uncertainties in West Asia, emphasising that the country could supply up to 20 per cent of New Delhi’s daily crude requirements, High Commissioner Dharamkumar Seeraj told the Times of Oman on Friday.
Seeraj signalled a strong commitment to establishing a long-term strategic energy partnership.
“We have the best crude in the world. Right now, we have a proven reserve of just about 12 billion barrels. We can be a strategic partner with India. India has the refinery and consumption power. I think India is doing about five million barrels per day. We can supply about 20% of that in the future,” Seeraj said, according to the report.
Seeraj said that discussions are underway to set up joint refining and bunkering facilities.
“In discussions with government agencies and private players here in India, I think we should be looking at setting up refineries so that we can process that crude and sell the finished product. Our President spoke recently about Guyana being a refuelling hub for the marine and ecosystem. I think it is a fantastic idea. We can build a facility in the deep-water channel in the Atlantic Ocean. India has the experience and scale. India can do things with Guyana,” he added.
The High Commissioner also pointed to recent high-level diplomatic engagements as a catalyst for economic collaboration.
“The Prime Minister’s visit to Guyana in 2024 sent a clear signal to the people of Guyana that this is Guyana and India time. We are one of the fastest-growing economies. We can do much better with the experiences of India and the scale of India itself. (External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam) Jaishankar’s interaction with our minister also sent a clear message to people to go and invest,” Seeraj said.
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