We Have Shared Interests
By G Parthasarathy
21 July 2008
The 2,700-kilometre IPI pipeline designed to supply 32 billion cubic metres of gas annually to India has been the subject of much controversy. India, like the European Union, should not be deterred by concerns of possible American sanctions, in proceeding with this project. But, the Manmohan Singh government has, like in the case of a proposed gas pipeline from Myanmar, bungled negotiations on the project, by getting involved in unnecessary negotiations with Pakistan, instead of insisting that it is entirely Iran's responsibility to deliver the gas at India's borders, with strict penalty clauses for non-fulfilment of contractual obligations. This appears to have now been set right. But, it is imperative that a major energy giant like Russia's GAZPROM be brought in with an equity stake in the project, as an additional guarantee of assured supplies, especially as western oil companies are unlikely to participate in the project.
http://www.newageislam.com/india-iran--let-us-not-communalise-the-relationship/current-affairs/d/280
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