The High Commissioner of India was in Aberdeen this week to discuss business links and opportunities in the Scottish energy sector.
His Excellency Ranjan Mathai was accompanied by Consul General Oscar Kerketta on a visit to Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber of Commerce yesterday (Thursday).
The visit was organised by the Chamber with a focus on the renewable and oil & gas sectors, with the High Commissioner expressing great interest in the work of AREG (Aberdeen Renewable Energy Group).
Morag McCorkindale, CEO of AREG, discussed the role that local companies are playing in transferring existing skills into renewables to create a complete energy mix and diversify the regional economy.
Mr Mathai was also briefed on the oil and gas industry in the region, with chief executive of Oil & Gas UK Deirdre Michie in attendance as well as industry figures with an interest in the sub-continent.
Following the visit, Liam Smyth, membership director at the Chamber said it had been a productive event.
“The High Commissioner showed great interest in the innovation and development work taking place in the North-east energy cluster.
“His visit gave member companies already operating in India an opportunity to talk about the changes needed to attract higher levels of investment.”
Mr Mathai has served as the ambassador of India in Israel, Qatar and France in his 40-year career with the Indian Foreign Service and was Foreign Secretary of India before taking up his assignment as the High Commissioner of India to the United Kingdom in 2013.