NEW DELHI, Oct 11 Reuters India wants Saudi Arabia39;s Aramco to participate in its planned 6.5 million metric tons MMT strategic petroleum reserve SPR programme as the South Asian nation wants to strengthen ties with its key oil supplier, according to a document seen by Reuters.

The two nations have been talking about Aramco39;s participation in the SPR programme for years. The talks, however, gained traction after Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman39;s meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi last month.

Under Phase II Strategic Petroleum Reserves Programme construction of two new commercialcumstrategic petroleum reserves of 6.5 MMT have been approved, the Indian government said in an internal document, adding that Saudi Arabia39;s Aramco can be invited to participate in the Phase II.

Aramco declined to comment, while the Saudi government did not respond to emails seeking comment.

India39;s prime ministers office, oil ministry and finance ministry did not respond either.

In 2021, India overhauled its SPR policy allowing commercial sale of the crude to boost private participation in the building of new storage facilities, mirroring a model adopted by countries such as Japan and South Korea.

India, the world39;s thirdbiggest oil importer and consumer, imports over 80 of its oil needs and has built strategic storage at three locations in southern India to store over 5 million tons of oil to protect against supply disruption.

Abu Dhabi National Oil Co ADNOC has…