Manohar Lal reaches Houston for G20 energy meet amid global supply concerns
Union Minister for Power and Housing and Urban Affairs Manohar Lal arrived in Houston on Sunday to represent India at the G20 Energy Abundance Ministerial Meeting, which is being held amid mounting concerns over global energy security and strained crude supplies due to conflicts in Iran and Ukraine.
Manohar Lal was received at the airport by India’s Consul General in Houston, C Manjunath.
The three-day ministerial meeting, scheduled from September 14 to 16 under the US G20 Presidency, will bring together energy ministers and senior representatives of G20 countries to discuss energy security, affordability, infrastructure development and resilient supply chains.
The discussions will centre on three key pillars: “Energy Security and Affordable Baseload”, “Permitting and Regulatory Efficiency” and “Critical Minerals & Resilient Supply Chains”. India is expected to push for pragmatic, inclusive and technology-neutral approaches to building secure, affordable and reliable energy systems while highlighting its own reforms in infrastructure development, regulatory processes and critical mineral supply chains.
Ahead of the ministerial meeting, the Indian diaspora in Houston hosted a reception for Manohar Lal at India House. Addressing professionals, entrepreneurs, students and cultural representatives, the minister praised the community for maintaining strong cultural links with India while contributing to the social and economic life of the United States.
Consul General C Manjunath delivered the welcome address and highlighted Manohar Lal’s record in public governance and citizen-centric administration.
Earlier on Sunday, the minister attended a literary gathering organised by the Consulate General of India in Houston in association with the Houston chapter of the International Hindi Association to mark Hindi Diwas 2026. He urged Indian-Americans to preserve and promote Hindi and other aspects of their linguistic heritage so that younger generations remain connected to their roots.
Manohar Lal also visited NASA’s Johnson Space Center as part of his Houston itinerary. The visit included discussions on strengthening India-US cooperation in the space sector and space-based technologies.
At the Indian Consulate, the minister launched CGI Houston’s participation in the nationwide Swachhata Hi Seva 2026 campaign by planting a sapling under the “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam” initiative. The 2026 campaign will be observed nationwide from September 17 to October 17 under the theme “Swachhata Mein Sahbhag, Swachh Bharat, Viksit Bharat”.
During the G20 Energy Ministerial, India will also highlight its efforts to create a resilient and future-ready energy system capable of meeting its growing energy requirements, while advocating diversification and greater resilience across critical mineral supply chains.
with inputs from PTI
