bhutan Courtesy: Indian Embassy Thimphu
13 June 2014

India-Bhutan: hydropower diplomacy

India’s long-term positive relationship with Bhutan is underpinned by hydropower: India helped develop Bhutan’s power projects and we purchase the surplus energy.The India-Bhutan relationship can be a model for improving links with Nepal which is trying to develop at least three projects jointly with India

Oman India gas route_googlemaps Courtesy: Google Maps
23 May 2014

Oman gas pipeline back in favour

An underwater gas pipeline project connecting Oman with India’s west coast is being resurrected. Several factors explain the renewed interest, including the relaxing of sanctions against Iran and India’s need to counter-balance geopolitical and security considerations dogging other land-based projects

Dilma_e_Lula_210x140 Courtesy: Government of Brazil/Wikimedia Commons
15 May 2014

Brazil: time to be a global power?

Brazil’s advantages – including resources of oil and gas, no historical baggage, an absence of terrorism and military conflicts – and regional leadership, make it a potential global power. But it also has to tackle many challenges in the medium-term, such as poverty, poor infrastructure, healthcare and education

lngfinal Courtesy: Pline/Wikimedia Commons
18 April 2014

Multiplying India’s LNG options

India’s domestic demand for natural gas is only growing. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s is looking to convince the U.S. government to sell LNG to India by exempting it from the requirement of a compulsory Free Trade Agreement (FTA) during his September trip. Another source for LNG for India can be Russia which is currently facing western sanctions and is looking to Asia as a gas export destination. India can benefit from both

lng Courtesy: Jeremy Edmunds/Flickr
7 March 2014

Decoding natural gas pricing in India

The issue of gas pricing is in the public discourse after the Aam Aadmi Party questioned the logic of linking domestic prices to global rates. In the absence of a single global marker price, it is time India, and other large importing countries in Asia, develop a pricing mechanism that reflects regional realities

bahrain Courtesy: Ministry of External Affairs, India
25 February 2014

The Gulf comes to India

Talks between India and the delegations visiting this week from Saudi Arabia and Iran revolved around defence, energy, trade, and regional security. High level visitors to India from Bahrain last week also focused on the economy. It is in India’s interests to carry forward this momentum even after the general elections

Eu iran Courtesy: European External Action Service
26 November 2013

Iran-P5+1 interim accord: An assessment

On November 24, the P5+1 and Iran reached a consensus on the interim agreement regarding Tehran’s long-disputed nuclear program. How comprehensive is this agreement, and what are its potential upshots for U.S., and West Asia – especially Israel and Saudi Arabia? More importantly, can India play a positive role?