Iranian oil minister’s special representative for Iran-India-Pakistan (IPI) gas pipeline talks Hojjatollah Ghanimifard, in a joint press conference with his Pakistani counterpart before the finalization of the agreement, underlined that Pakistan has pledged to bring the Indian side back to the negotiating table.

In addition, an advisor to Pakistani prime minister on energy affairs, Mukhtar Ahmed also underlined at the same press conference that India has pulled out of the negotiations for domestic problems rather than the difference over transit fees. Ahmed further noted he did not have the details about Indian problems.

Why energy-savvy New Delhi has refrained from active involvement in the IPI project negotiation is not yet clear, comments Iran Daily. India has not taken a clear stance on the issue. This suggests that the problem lies in internal considerations. Some reports also speak about unclear Indian stance on its nuclear agreement with the US administration. The only important step taken with regard to the pipeline project in recent weeks is the remark by India’s petroleum minister. Murli Deora stated that his government is still ’committed’ to the construction of the $7.4-billion gas pipeline.

Despite its laggard involvement in IPI talks, the southern Asian country needs huge amount of energy for its flourishing economy. Any Indian government has to strive to meet its energy demands from various and diverse sources in the future. In other words, diversity of energy sources is a must in the current world political climate.

Dependency of countries on one source or one route is too risky and would reduce energy security. Indian officials are undoubtedly well aware of this.

Even if investments by the Indian government in oil and gas explorations are successful, it will be unable to meet domestic energy demand from these sources. Furthermore, gas will become an important source of energy in the future. Some reports indicate that even if India joins the gas pipeline project linking Turkmenistan, Afghanistan and Pakistan, it still needs to import gas from Iran.

Oil prices climbed to $98 per barrel last week. Some analysts contend that it is edging towards $100 a barrel. A host of policymakers and oil experts believe the rise in the price of the strategic fuel is inevitable.

As is evident in reports by the International Energy Agency (IEA), India and China will be world’s main energy consumers in the next decade. The agency has also warned that current oil and gas supply cannot meet the demand.

The IPI pipeline known as the ’Peace Pipeline’ can become a major source of energy for both Pakistan and India. Iran plans to export 30 million cubic meters of gas per day to each of these countries. The project can remove future energy concerns of both states. It is hoped India will take note of the importance of the project and overcome its qualms about involvement in the ’Peace Pipeline’. Implementation of the project is not just a regional issue; it can also ensure global energy security.