IPI gas pipeline: India shows renewed interest despite ‘US pressure’
Indian official sources denied that India was reluctant in pursuing the ambitious IPI project and was instead keen on an early fruition of the Turkmenistan, Afghanistan, Pakistan, India (TAPI) gas pipeline.
"We are an energy-deficient country and to sustain our high growth rate and ensure energy security, we need energy from every possible source,'' they added.
The clarification came following reports that Iran was upset with India for virtually abandoning the IPI pipeline project and joining the US-backed TAPI project. Iran has gone on record saying that it was no longer holding talks with India on IPI pipeline but has signed a bilateral accord with Pakistan on the project.
Under the deal finalised in March last year, Iran will supply 750 million cubic feet of gas daily to Pakistan by 2014.
Indian sources dispelled the impression that Washington had been exerting pressure on India not to pursue the IPI pipeline project in view of Iran’s controversial nuclear programme.
They said that important issues concerning the IPI project, such as gas pricing, delivery point of gas, project structure, transportation tariff payment, transit fee for the passage of natural gas through Pakistan and security of supply, had still not been sorted out.
“Once our concerns are addressed satisfactorily, we will have no hesitation in going ahead with the project,” the sources said.
When asked as to how the TAPI project would be more viable for India than the IPI project, which had been on the cards since the 1990s, the official said that New Delhi had problems with neither the IPI project nor the TAPI project.
Published in The Express Tribune, August 25th, 2011.
COMMENTS (16)
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@nikki: My dear. Again come up with something original. Remember we have defence deals with France, Russia etc etc, US is but one of the countries we do business with. We are choosers! And when we did not have money in the past we were strong and now that the country has enough forex we are equally strong. When our economy was in doldrums only one country supplied defence material. You keep guessing who it was ? Uncle never bothered us, because we never allowed him this special privilege.
@jawad needs to know:
The 60s model you talk about was the brainchild of Ayub Khan, Pakistan's first military 'dictator'. The same model was destroyed by the nationalization policy of 'democratic' Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, Pakistan's first democratically elected leader.
Despites US pressure? Let India buy/invest heavily into US Defence products.Then they too will find out that what uncle wants, he gets. That is how the game is played................you are just going to have to wait to find out!
@ ex-hindu - what about all those gold and money extorted by the UK for nearly 200 years from India ? also, india is no more keen to take aid from the UK .
http://aidwatchers.com/2010/09/india-tells-uk-to-turn-off-the-aid-tap-already/
@Jawad: Dear Jawad. India and Pakistan have a similarity, both have extreme poverty. In 1960s Pakistan was a role model for rest of the developing economies in the world. even south Korea's seol world trade center was designed in the lines of Karachi's one (I hope you know this) look at what successive dictatorships has done to you. Pakistan is a sovereign nation and does not need to submit to hegemony of not only India but any country. But does it mean hatred should prevail? No doubt, India has more beggars than any other country in the world. But we have never let our false pride come in way of our development. We are bringing our poor up and are already fourth largest economy (by PPP) in the world and Insha allah we will be second after China in next 20 years. coming to the subject, this gas pipe line project is in Iran Pak and india's interest. we are not bothered of USA pressure. We are a sovereign nation too.
@ex hindu: Well you must be knowing who are the topdogs of Asia and the world and who isa beggar.
India drop out from IPI last time will we believe india this time??????????
This is a great opportunity for India and Pakistan to enhance trade relations. But chances of the project working in the long run is suspect. The terrorists will blow up the pipeline every day and repairs will make the project unsustainable economically.
@ashok sai: the wealthy man must be China...because India has more poor than africa and gets more aid from UK than Pakistan
Keep Dreaming India.We dont you, you can block our water,trade deals and economy but Pakistan will never submit to Indian hegemony
@Much Amused: and "others" are at mercy of wealth man.
We should be hopeful about this project. India needs energy to sustain its high growth in an increasingly energy-deficient world. Because oil is too expensive (and is on the way up, up and up in the foreseeable future) and coal is too dirty (given the realities of global warming), relatively cheaper, cleaner and more viable natural gas is the answer. Besides this project will bind together India and Pakistan, and push Pakistan towards more regional cooperation and stabillity.
@ashok sai: x, y or both, the supply will still be at the mercy of other countries.
A wealthy man can afford to choose from the menu, whether its x, y or both.
This project will surely bring our cooperation on better footing