Two Indians elected to global energy body

Thursday, 09 October 2003, 19:30 IST
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NEW DELHI: M.A. Pathan, resident director of the Tata Group of industries and former chairman of the Indian Oil Corporation (IndianOil), has been elected co-chairman emeritus of the U-S based International Energy Advisory Council (IEAC). In addition, Atul Chandra, managing director of ONGC Videsh Ltd, the overseas investment arm of state-owned Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC), has been nominated a member of the council, IEAC said in a statement Thursday. "The nomination of Pathan as co-chairman emeritus and Atul Chandra to the council is expected to facilitate the participation of Indian companies in the reconstruction of Iraq and restoration of oil and gas supplies," the IEAC stated. IEAC is a strategic group of energy executives and experts from around the world constituted in July 2003 in the U.S. for providing guidance on energy security and to promote better understanding on supply issues between private enterprises and governments. U.S. Congressman Curt Weldon is chairman emeritus of the energy body. During the inaugural meeting of the energy body in Washington, Pathan had spoken about the geo-political advantages of India and the capabilities of the Indian companies, which could be fully utilised in the massive restoration work in Iraq. In a follow-up action, India has forwarded details of the technical capabilities of energy majors in the country including ONGC, IndianOil, GAIL (India) Ltd, Engineers India Ltd (EIL) and Tata Group to the U.S-based Centre for Strategic and International Studies for active consideration by the Coalition Provisional Authority (CPA) in Washington. The next meeting of the IEAC is to be hosted in London on October 23-24 by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office of the British government.
Source: IANS
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