Russia seeks China, India as partners of new energy alliance

[StormShadow]

Russia seeks China, India as partners of new energy alliance

Prime Minister Narendra Modi with Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry O. Rogozin in New Delhi. File photo​

Russia has signalled that its proposed giant gas pipeline to China could be extended to India, setting the stage for a triangular energy partnership among three core members of the Brazil-Russia-India-China-South Africa (BRICS) grouping.

Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitri Rogozin, who has concluded a visit to India as President Vladimir Putin’s envoy told reporters that the construction of a gas pipeline from Russia to India would be “one of the largest infrastructure projects that could be conceived”. His comments follow media reports that during his anticipated meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Brazil during the BRICS summit next month, Mr. Putin may propose the extension of the Russia-China gas pipeline to India.

Rogozin told the website Russia and India Report in an interview that his talks with External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, yielded the formation of a Working Group on Strategic Issues that would focus on “strategic projects”.

The move, if it materialises would feed into Russia’s discernable strategic shift towards the East, especially after the Ukrainian crisis, which has sent Moscow’s ties with the Atlantic Alliance in a tailspin. Leveraging its position as a global energy supplier, Russia has already identified China as one of its core partners -- its inclination evident in the $ 400 billion gas deal that it has signed with Beijing. Mr. Rogozin told the website Russia and India Report in an interview that his talks with External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, yielded the formation of a Working Group on Strategic Issues that would focus on “strategic projects”.

Though focused on the big picture, Mr. Rogozin’s talks did address the controversy generated by the proposed sales of Russian Mi-35 helicopters to Pakistan. A section of Russian media is reporting that the transfers of the attack helicopters would not undermine stability in South Asia as a chance of a full-fledged war between the two nuclear neighbours is now inconceivable. A diplomatic source told The Hindu that cash strapped Russia, apprehending an economic squeeze from members of the NATO alliance is looking at diversifying its oil and military exports. He pointed out that there has been an earlier occasion when the Russians wanted to sell helicopters to Pakistan, but New Delhi preempted the move by purchasing these aircraft for its own armed forces.


“Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitri Rogozin, who has concluded a visit to India as President Vladimir Putin’s envoy told reporters that the construction of a gas pipeline from Russia to India would be “one of the largest infrastructure projects that could be conceived”.”


The Indian side on Thursday made it clear that the controversy on the helicopters would hardly impair ties, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi advocating that Indo-Russian ties should be taken to a “higher level,” following his meeting with Mr. Rogozin.

The visiting official, well regarded in diplomatic circles, as a member of Mr. Putin’s inner circle, said that a Joint Study Group would be formed that would analyse the possibility of India’s partnership with the Eurasian Economic Union -- a body that is widely viewed, as Russia’s riposte to western led trade blocs.

In his interview, Mr. Rogozin acknowledged that going beyond a buyer seller relationship, India as approaching Russia as partner in co-developing weapons, which include joint forays in making a fifth generation fighter jet and a multi-role transport aircraft. The Russian official said that negotiations on establishing two more nuclear reactors in Kudankulum are underway, to fulfill an ambitious plan to set up 14 to 16 Russian designed nuclear power units in India.

Russia seeks China, India as partners of new energy alliance - The Hindu
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@Chinese-Dragon Your views?

 

[DrSomnath999]

Hmm

interersting proposal from Russians .

Should india go for it or not??

For YES the reasons are

1) India would get another steady reliable source of fuel/energy supply which is trouble free as compare to west asian gulf state which are prone to war or internal unrest crisis so prices of fuel would not be affected much like we are seeing at this moment right now

2) It would further enhance ties with the russians & chinese if the pipeline passes through china and we can by pass Pakistan

For No the reasons are

1) The Russians may use this pipeline as a bargaining tool to achieve their diplomacy ., military contracts & can
ditch us like they did to ukranians

2) We would be dependent on china also if that pipeline passes through china if relations deterioate then what!!

3) How economically profitable /feasible would be this pipeline for india at longrun if we invest in this pipeline

4) How would US react to this pipeline ???They can also take it in a negative way


CHEERS

 

[kbd-raaf]

Hmm

interersting proposal from Russians .

Should india go for it or not??

For YES the reasons are

1) India would get another steady reliable source of fuel/energy supply which is trouble free as compare to west asian gulf state which are prone to war or internal unrest crisis so prices of fuel would not be affected much like we are seeing at this moment right now

2) It would further enhance ties with the russians & chinese if the pipeline passes through china and we can by pass Pakistan

For No the reasons are

1) The Russians may use this pipeline as a bargaining tool to achieve their diplomacy ., military contracts & can
ditch us like they did to ukranians

2) We would be dependent on china also if that pipeline passes through china if relations deterioate then what!!

3) How economically profitable /feasible would be this pipeline for india at longrun if we invest in this pipeline

4) How would US react to this pipeline ???They can also take it in a negative way


CHEERS

No reasons:

1) True. But we'll be one of their biggest customers, nobody can afford to lose India's business.
2) Yes true, but the options are a) No pipeline and no oil during peacetime or wartime or b) Pipeline and oil during peace but no oil during war. Which one is the best option?
3) That'd need a feasibility study.
4) Does it matter what the US thinks?

 

[Reza Ali]

Allah hu Akber

 

[nomi007]

too much costly
indian reject ipi gas pipe line due to security thread by Pakistan
i ask indian is china is their friend or foe

 

[StormShadow]

too much costly
indian reject ipi gas pipe line due to security thread by Pakistan
i ask indian is china is their friend or foe

Though the chinese want us to believe we are strategic partners[ Link ], IMHO, as of now, we are just business partners. Nothing more, nothing less.

 

[indoPunjabi]

Bottom line is India doesn't have that much cash to invest in such a big project. Not happening guys!

 

[SwAggeR]

too much costly
indian reject ipi gas pipe line due to security thread by Pakistan
i ask indian is china is their friend or foe

Why are you worried ?? China has only one power center but Pakistan has four. With China probability of deal staying a deal is four times more than Pakistan. I hope that helps.

Bottom line is India doesn't have that much cash to invest in such a big project. Not happening guys!

Energy security of developing country should have higher priority than import of Gold and dole out subsidies and waivers.

 

[Chinese-Dragon]

@Chinese-Dragon Your views?

Sounds great to me. Business is business after all.

BRICS and the SCO are the future foundations upon which a new multipolar world will be built.

 

[Tshering22]

Good choice.

With interlinked energy securities, there will be less hostility in the region and more inter-dependence and therefore our militaries can focus on flushing out terrorists rather than worry about each other.

We badly need Russian natural gas and therefore this is a welcome. Not to mention we will be less dependent on the violent and unstable middle east that is involved in funding dozens of radical groups.

 

[lightoftruth]

the way middle east is behaving India will have to diversify sources,although it will depend upon how much china is ready to invest in India in upcoming years ,how our trade relations move , will china give space to Indian companies ?

its a long term project borders can be settled if their is a genuine attempt till now both sides are quite stubborn.

for us it will depend on how Iran maintains its stability.