Khartoum, Jan. 28, 2026 (SUNA) – Minister of Energy and Oil Engineer Advisor Al-Mu’tassim Ibrahim said Sudan looks forward to strengthening cooperation with India to reconstruct its energy sector after severe damage to oil infrastructure caused by militia attacks.Al-Mu’tassim said Sudan aims to deepen collaboration with India in oil and energy to rehabilitate damaged facilities and resume production. He made the comments during a meeting with Indian Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas Hardeep Singh Puri on the sidelines of his participation in India Energy Week (IEW) 2026 in Goa.Describing India as a “historical partner,” Al-Mu’tassim noted that Sudan-India cooperation in oil and energy spans decades and has persisted through challenging circumstances. “There is a deep-rooted historical relationship between Sudan and India, especially in the oil and energy industry, and this cooperation is moving forward,” he said.On debts owed to Indian companies, particularly ONGC, the Minister said his ministry is working to settle obligations and that they should not hinder ongoing cooperation. He added that one proposed mechanism is granting the company new blocks to operate, supported by the work of the joint committee.Al-Mu’tassim also participated in the first day of the Arab-Indian Dialogue, chaired by Minister Puri, where he outlined Sudan’s oil sector challenges and the government’s strategy to address them. He reiterated India’s role as a key partner in the sector’s reconstruction.Furthermore, the Minister met with the Chairman and Managing Director of NTPC, a company involved in thermal, hydro, and solar power plant operations, to discuss future cooperation with the Sudanese Ministry of Energy and Oil.FA/BH