New Delhi
17 May 2007
Ratcheting up the dissonance on Iran, a United States legislator has
said that the Iran-India-Pakistan gas pipeline was an "investment in terror" and India
should instead meet her energy needs through a civilian nuclear energy cooperation
"deal" with the US.
Congressman Brad Sherman, a Democrat from California, has told PTI that India should
reconsider her stand on the gas pipeline project. "Investing in terror is not good
business. It is not secure. There is no assurance that those pipelines passing through
Iran, which could have a revolution at any time, and Baluchistan... both areas in which
the pipeline project could be hurt by various Baluchi elements that could have
grievances against Iran and Islamabad," he said. "That looks like a very bad
investment," he said.
"The other way to go for India's energy security is to have a deal with the US that helps
the development of nuclear power in India. I would hope that our assistance to India will
provide electricity in a way that is not dependent on oil and gas prices which are rising
through the roof and are not dependent on the insecurity of the pipelines going through
Central Iran, Baluchistan and Pakistan. So that's a better way for India," he said.
Sherman is one of the lawmakers in the US House of Representatives, who has moved
legislation against Iran called the Iran Sanctions Enabling Act of 2007 that seeks to apply
pressure on Tehran by publishing a list of entities that invest in Iran and then allowing
for divestment.
A similar Bill has been moved in the Senate by Democratic Senator Barack Obama of
Illinois.
In New Delhi, Minister of External Affairs Pranab Mukherjee on Thursday said in a written
reply in the Rajya Sabha that "Government of India's energy policy flows from our own
assessments and requirements. India is pursuing several energy options and will
continue to take any measures it deems necessary based on its own national interest."
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