We are committed to meet India’s energy needs: Saudi envoy
New Delhi, Sept. 22: In the midst of disruption in global oil supply following the biggest-ever attacks on its oil installations, Saudi Arabia has said it is committed to meet India’s energy security needs and will work constructively with other oil producers to maintain market stability.
Saudi ambassador Dr Saud bin Mohammed Al Sati, in an exclusive interview to PTI, also said his country will invite the United Nations and international experts to view the situation on the ground and to participate in the investigation into the attacks.
He said Saudi Arabia has the capability and resolve to defend itself and to forcefully respond to “these aggressions”, and appreciated India’s support and solidarity to Riyadh following the
strikes which, he asserted, were “against the international community as a whole”.
A series of drone and missile attacks on oil facilities of Saudi Aramco, the country’s national petroleum company, in Abqaiq and Khurais on September 14 knocked out half of its daily oil production, severely impacting the global oil market and triggering fresh tension between Saudi Arabia and Iran.
Saudi Arabia is a key pillar of India’s energy security, being a source of 17 per cent or more of crude oil and 32 per cent of LPG requirements of India. The attacks on Aramco’s Abqaiq and Khurais facilities resulted in up to 15 per cent increase in global oil prices last week due to disruption in supply by the top oil exporter.
Mr Al Sati said the “unprecedented act of aggression and sabotage” on Saudi petroleum facilities, which were vital for global energy supplies, resulted in the suspension of approximately 50 per cent of Saudi Aramco’s production.
“As the investigations are ongoing, the Kingdom will invite UN and international experts to view the situation on ground and to participate in the investigations,” the ambassador said.
“The Kingdom will take appropriate measures to ensure its security and stability. The Kingdom affirms that it has the capability and resolve to defend its land and people, and to forcefully respond to these aggressions,” he said.
Yemen’s Houthi terror group has taken responsibility for the biggest-ever attacks on Saudi oil facilities which severely impacted global oil supply. Saudi Arabia and its ally, the US, have blamed Iran for the attacks but Tehran has strongly denied the allegations. “Recent attack against Saudi Aramco was not only against the Kingdom, but against the international community as a whole, and was a deliberate attempt to disrupt global economy,” he said. PTI