Mining majors BHP Group and Rio Tinto are turning focus toward India, viewing it as a key driver of future steel demand as growth in China slows, Bloomberg reported on Tuesday.

Executives from both companies said rising steel capacity and infrastructure-led demand in India could support global iron ore consumption over the coming years.

BHP's group sales and marketing officer Michiel Hovers said Indian steelmakers are expanding capacity, calling the trend "real" and already "happening".

India is positioning itself as a major steel producer, with a government target of 500 million tonnes of output by 2047, compared with 165 million tonnes produced last year, according to the report.

While per-capita steel use in India remains well below China, rapid urban development and public infrastructure spending are expected to sustain long-term demand growth, creating opportunities for iron ore and coal suppliers, Bloomberg noted.

Rio Tinto chief commercial officer Bold Baatar said future demand growth in steel will increasingly come from India and other emerging markets, helping offset weaker trends in China, Bloomberg reported.

BHP, Rio Tinto did not immediately respond to MT Newswires' request for comment.

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