IP gas pipeline could become Asia’s energy lifeline

TEHRAN,March 13(MNA)--The construction of the Pakistan section of the Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline officially started on Monday during a ceremony on the Iran-Pakistan border which was attended by the presidents of the two countries. The Pakistan section of the pipeline, which will stretch for 780 kilometers, will be built over the next two years. The project is of immense importance for the two countries, especially for Pakistan since it needs a secure source of energy to meet its rising demand. Iran will also benefit from the project since the country is facing numerous embargoes on its oil and gas industry due to the sanctions imposed by certain Western governments, and the pipeline will significantly boost Iran’s economy when it comes on stream. Besides the numerous economic benefits, the project should be regarded as a total political victory for Iran. Over the past few years, the United States has used every trick up its sleeve to prevent Pakistan and India from signing a pipeline deal with Iran. Washington’s pressure on Islamabad and New Delhi was always accompanied by incentives, including offers to increase financial assistance to Pakistan and to construct nuclear power plants for India. However, Iran was finally able to hammer out a deal with Pakistan, and the U.S. efforts were all in vain. However, the Indian government finally decided not to join the project, at least for the time being. But the U.S. pressure on the country was not the only reason for India’s decision. Due to the traditional rivalry between India and Pakistan, New Delhi was reluctant to receive gas through Pakistan since it would have been required to pay its neighbor a transit fee of $350 million per year. Moreover, there would be a risk that Pakistan would cut India’s gas supply if tensions rose between the two countries. However, the Indian government has not fully withdrawn from the project that was originally called the Iran-Pakistan-India (IPI) pipeline, and also known as the Peace Pipeline, and sooner or later, especially when the U.S. pressure abates, India will rejoin the project. The India-China rivalry and China’s need for affordable energy could convince India that it is in the country’s interests to bring the pipeline into its territory. Thus, India will surely join the Peace Pipeline over the long term. This article originally appeared in Persian on the website Iranian Diplomacy. Pirmohammad Mollazehi is an expert on Pakistan and Afghanistan based in Tehran. (Pirmohammad Mollazehi)