Pipe Dreams?

Long before there was any modern civilization there were trade routes through Central Asia to the Indian subcontinent on one side and China beyond it and to Europe on the other side. The pipeline suggestion makes immense sense because it is a source of cheap natural gas which India needs for it`s growing economy. If it helps build good relations with Pakistan then it is all the more neccessary for both countries.

In the long term it is shared economic interests that would help both countries come closer together instead of anything else.

re: this pipeline issue
The following articles are relevant with regards to the pipeline issue:

http://www.sulekha.com/news/nhc.aspx?cid=433817
(Pakistan and India Friday agreed to finalise a tripartite framework agreement on the multi billion-dollar Iran-Pakistan-India (IPI) gas pipeline project by the end of this year.

The secretaries for petroleum of Pakistan and India, Ahmed Waqar and Sushil Chand Tripathy respectively, announced this while addressing a joint press briefing at the end of the second Pakistan-India Joint Working Group (JWG) meeting here. )


http://www.sulekha.com/news/nhc.aspx?cid=433806
(He said he supported the administration`s policy (toward India) but believed the administration would have to make a maximum effort for which ``we offer, at least some of us offer our services to help you make the Indians aware of the fact that nothing will fly in this body unless they become as sensitive to their concerns as we have been to theirs.``

Lantos said he found Natwar Singh`s reported statement in Iran -- ``literally sickening, this Stalinist rhetoric which we don`t accept from the Indian foreign minister.``

Singh is reported to have said during his meeting with the new Iranian president that India `supports the resolution of Iran`s nuclear issue within the IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency)framework but opposes sending the file to the UN Security Council.` )

So, India is supporting Iran in its nuclear venture. This is sad and stupid. What else can u expect from a nutcase like Natwar Singh, brought up on the diet of licking the Nehru family A$$. The guy is a serious menace to India and is putting back all the progress achieved by Jaswant Singh and others wrt Indo-US relations.
NOw, if India is also seriously considering the pipeline issue, which US clearly does not support, we can only see Indo-US relations plummet down. Israeli lobby is too powerful and will block every move to pass the nuclear cooperation agenda of Bush admin if the lobby feels India is not flexible on the Iran issue. The new diplomatic contacts between Israel and Pak only complicates matters for India.
Sridhar

re: Aarya Nijat

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United States opposition to the pipeline and Iran’s opposite strict stance, has not however, deterred India from proceeding with the Pipeline. And it should not deter Pakistan also. The pipeline is quite attractive as an incentive for reconciliation between India and Pakistan
++

The Pakistanis are already talking to the Indians and Iranians about IPI proposal, despite US opposition. Simultaneously Pakistan is open to TAP proposal as well. If IPI can strengthen Pakistan`s relationship with Iran and India, TAP can bring Afghanistan and Turkmenistan closer to Pakistan.

From Pakistan`s POV, the following issues are relevant:

a) Time factor. If TAP can meet Pakistan`s energy requirements sooner than IPI, Pakistan wouldn`t mind paying the higher $1.25 tariff. It`s just $0.50 more than IPI tariff. And besides expensive energy is still better than no energy.

b) Local Employment potential. If TAP provides more employment opportunities to Pakistanis, then it is a better option than IPI.

Are there any comparative studies in the public domain addressing these issues?

re:#76 by Netizen
I hope the sarcasem of my post was not lost on this Haideri dude, who has lost most of his brain cells rocking in front of the book.
BTW, i look exactly opposite to what he described in his post. Not that it matters. As u rightly said, looks do not define a person, a pearl lost on most of these people from across the border.
Sridhar

Re: # 74

`, did i not tell u to keep rocking? BTW, how did u guess i look so ugly?``

this is a general perception among pakis. that they are fair-skinned, strong faithfuls and hindus are dark, dimunitive, daal-roti eating infidels. Its beyond their grasp that a person features doesn`t define his personality.
Can you imagine this haideris attitude towards blacks?

Haideri dude,
even if i am an ``ugly`` hindu, I won`t turn into a fair-skinned/blonde if I too start rocking infront of the book. our features comes from genetics/natures selection not from the religion we follow.

re:#73 by suresh492
Gas pipeline is a disaster for India. As i have already said, we need to measure Pak`s intentions by its actions. ISI continues to be active in much of India, training terrorists. Pak is hiding a murder who did immense damage to India (i am talking about Dawood). Pak continues to train terrorists who are being caught all over the world. So, what has changed? Nothing.
Sridhar

re:#72 by haideri
Gosh! I am not mad at u. As far as i am concerned, u do not exist. Now, did i not tell u to keep rocking? BTW, how did u guess i look so ugly? Must be something to do with so much rocking in front of an outdated book.
Sridhar

Respected Aarya Nijat (Editor)

CC to Hiaderi, Imtiaz, Haideri, Farrikh, Sridhar, Arjun and others

An Indian Official was telling the STAR PLUS media personnal some days ago, Leave the Gas pipeline, The Pakistanis don’t even allow our biscuits to be transported to war ravaged Afghanistan, As a result the biscuits have to be transported via Iran, thereby making a very costly exercise. There were talks about the India-Iran gas pipeline during the Benazir era that is 2 decades ago. Till now there are only talks,talks and talks about the gas pipeline. Last but not the least, there are thousand of attacks on the harmless Gas pipelines in Baluchistan. In that cases what about the losses the Indians will have to incur on account of disruption of Gas flow. Will the Pakistanis compensate the losses suffered by us.?

A warm and a prompt reply will be highly appreciated

Suresh Shenoy – Bombay.

Re #68

rsridhar,

Why are you so mad? Is it my fault that you are ugly? Why don`t you ask your Shiv God and worship his penis a little more. Do me a favor remove all the mirrors from your home. It may sooth your brain a little.

haideri

Re: # 70

We have comunists who sided with China during war, still being `leaders`.
We have the Muslim League still contesting elections. (Is there a congress in pakistan ?)
We got spineless politicians allowing Muslim Bangladeshis into India in hordes.

This is India :(

My fingers are crossed about the future.

regards,
SN

Re: # 67

``Mani Shankar Iyer is an idiot. ``

he is the ex-cheerleader for the chinese communists. In his college days he was collecting funds for china during 1962 war.
i am surprised a person who was collecting funds for an enemy nation is a union minister now

Re: # 61

i do think islam is the fastest growing religion. Not because of converts but because of the population growth rate. The fertility rate of muslims is the highest world over. Just look at the % growth in muslim countries. even in india muslims have the highest rate.

re:#60 by haideri
You are a typical Paki moron. Now, go to your seat and rock in front of the book that u guys think is holy until you rot away rest of your brain. You need to finish the job u started.
Sridhar

#59 by ranjit
Mani Shankar Iyer is an idiot. He is a madrassi married to a Punjabi. The guy is having a pipedream if he thinks US will allow gas pipeline to go through.
Sridhar

re:#41 by Faruk
What i am basically saying is that India should be self-reliant on energy. It is O.K to import some gas from outside. But India should not depend on Pak for long term needs. Pak has never done anything that suggests its basic animosity towards India has changed. Just look at the denial of transit facility! This is a simple thing. The other thing is denying that the criminal Dawood Ibrahim even lives in Pak!
These things make me feel Pak can never be India`s friend. It is stupid to invest huge money in this pipeline when India recently made a breakthrough in using thorium for its energy needs. India needs to build cheap nuclear reactors with US help and utilise thorium for its energy needs. It will take time but it is better to be self reliant than be dependent on others for vital energy needs.
Sridhar

re:#26 by Imtiaz84
Afghanistan is not a disputed territorry. Why does Paki dictator not allow transit facitlities for India thr` Pak to transport good to Afghanistan. Your ``so called PM`` is gone on record saying this will happen only if K word is solved.
Sridhar