New Delhi, September 23, 2026: India and the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) held the seventh High-Level Meeting of the OPEC-India Energy Dialogue in New Delhi on September 22, 2026, with discussions focusing on oil market stability, energy security and investment requirements across the global oil industry.

The meeting was co-chaired by Hardeep Singh Puri, Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas, and Haitham Al Ghais, Secretary General of OPEC. The two sides reviewed developments and outlooks across the short, medium and long term, while highlighting India’s growing importance in global economic activity and energy demand.

Puri said India and OPEC share a complementary relationship and emphasised the importance of continued engagement between oil-producing and oil-consuming countries. He also acknowledged OPEC’s contribution to strengthening cooperation and dialogue on global energy issues.

Highlighting India’s expanding role in the global economy, Puri said the country is expected to remain an important source of energy demand growth in the coming decades. He stressed that sustained producer-consumer dialogue would be important for encouraging investment, strengthening energy resilience and supporting reliable energy supplies.

The Indian minister also called for closer cooperation between India and OPEC to promote a balanced, stable and predictable global energy market. He noted the importance of market stability and transparency at a time when geopolitical developments continue to influence global energy markets.

OPEC Secretary General Haitham Al Ghais said engagement with India remains a priority for the organisation because of the country’s increasing significance in the global energy landscape. He noted that the OPEC-India Energy Dialogue was launched in New Delhi in 2015 and has now continued for 11 years.

Al Ghais also highlighted similarities between the priorities of India and OPEC in addressing global energy challenges. He described India’s approach to energy issues as balanced and pragmatic and said several of India’s priorities align with those of OPEC.

The OPEC Secretary General further acknowledged India’s emphasis on international cooperation and dialogue. He said sustained diplomacy and engagement are important mechanisms for addressing major challenges facing the global energy system.

The meeting provided a platform for both sides to exchange views on current developments in oil markets and longer-term energy trends. Particular attention was given to the need for adequate and timely investment throughout the oil industry to support future energy requirements.

Participants also reviewed progress made under the OPEC-India Energy Dialogue, including cooperation and engagement at the technical level. Both sides recognised the value of maintaining regular institutional dialogue between major energy producers and consumers.

The discussions concluded with India and OPEC reiterating the importance of strengthening bilateral energy cooperation. The dialogue is intended to provide a continuing platform for consultations on oil markets, energy security, investment and broader developments affecting the global energy sector.

It was also agreed that the eighth High-Level Meeting of the OPEC-India Energy Dialogue will be held in Vienna, Austria, on a mutually convenient date.

The continuation of the dialogue reflects the sustained engagement between India and OPEC as both sides monitor changes in global energy demand, market conditions, investment requirements and the evolving international energy landscape.