Page 387 - SSB Interview: The Complete Guide, Second Edition

million cubic metres of gas daily, while the gas supply in the country stands
at only 50% of the requirement. It is expected that the gas requirement of
India will quadruple in the next ten years. The decreasing oil reserves have
forced India to think about alternatives to speedily fill up the gaps in demand

and supply. Therefore, India’s need for gas cannot be ignored.

Why Iran?

Importing gas from Qatar is 15% costlier than to import it from Iran. The
condition is much worse in the case of Turkmenistan as it will be 20% more

expensive. The Iranian gas is more accessible to India and Pakistan from the
security point of view. Though the gas from Qatar is more dependable, its
capacity and sale were full till 2017. For these reasons, Iran is the best choice.

Economics

Technically and economically, implementation of a 2,700km-long pipeline

which will be laid down at a depth of 1.5 metres below the ground at a cost of
more than $4 billion can bring more than 100 million cubic metres of gas
from Iran to India and Pakistan. The route proposed to be followed is the

ports of Asaluyeh in Iran-Gwadar-Karachi-Indo-Pak border.

The proposed terms of the agreement will be for 25 years which can be
renewed for a further period of five years. India will save $2 billion while

Pakistan will get about $400 to $600 million as transit fee. Diplomats and
experts call the gas pipeline the pipeline of peace. The USA is convincing
India not to go for the gas pipeline as America has promised nuclear energy

to India. India has to keep in mind the aspect of Pakistan-sponsored sabotage
which cannot be ruled out.

SEAT FOR INDIA IN UN SECURITY COUNCIL

The UNO was formed in 1945 at the end of the Second World War. The

strength of the UNO was only 51 members at that time. The membership has