Union Minister for Power and Housing & Urban Affairs Shri Manohar Lal undertook a series of engagements in Houston, USA on September 13, 2026, ahead of the G20 Energy Abundance Ministerial Meeting. The minister attended a Hindi Diwas 2026 event organized by the Consulate General of India, Houston in collaboration with the International Hindi Association - Houston Chapter, where he addressed the gathering and appreciated efforts to promote Hindi and strengthen cultural ties with the Indian diaspora.
During his visit to the Consulate General, Shri Manohar Lal planted a tree under the 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' initiative, which also marked the beginning of Swachhata Hi Seva 2026 at the Consulate. This initiative is part of the national campaign with the theme 'Swachhata Mein Sahbhag, Swachh Bharat, Viksit Bharat', reinforcing values of public participation and environmental responsibility.
The minister visited NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston, where he undertook a tour of the facility and held discussions on opportunities to strengthen India-US collaboration in the space sector. He thanked Mr. William T. Harris, President and CEO of Space Center Houston, for personally guiding him during the visit.
In the evening, Shri Manohar Lal attended a public reception organized by the Indian diaspora at India House, Houston, which was attended by a diverse cross-section of the community including professionals, entrepreneurs, students, cultural leaders and representatives of regional associations. The Haryanvi community, represented by HARIT, also interacted with the minister, who lauded the strong people-to-people ties between India and the United States.
Over September 14-16, 2026, the minister will participate in the G20 Energy Abundance Ministerial Meeting that brings together Ministers and senior representatives of G20 members to deliberate on key issues relating to energy security, affordability, accessibility and the evolving global energy landscape. India's participation underscores its commitment to constructive international cooperation and advancing solutions for secure, reliable, affordable and sustainable energy.