Iranian expert has a game-changing ‘gas plan’ linking Russia and India for security and billions
An Iranian expert have mooted a strategic plan wherein the Islamic Republic could exploit the energy ties between India and Russia not only to weaken the West's dominance over the global gas market but also to enhance Iran's security in the region.
Seyed Ali Mortazavi, an expert in the field of economic policy, told Iranian media Javan that Iran could establish a system to transfer Russian gas directly to India through a direct seabed pipeline. He argues that Russia, as the world's largest gas reserves holder, and India, as one of the largest and fastest growing energy consumers in Asia, constitute the two ends of the main gas supply and demand chain in our region. Iran, in the middle of these two economic powers, can play the role of an energy highway by taking advantage of its actual geographical, infrastructural, and diplomatic capacities.
“Simultaneous participation with Russia and India in a project such as the gas pipeline through a route exclusive to Iran can create a kind of interdependence between the three countries. This interdependence, in addition to economic benefits, provides a kind of strategic deterrence because none of the parties will have a desire to increase tension in the region,” he added.
“This project will not only remove Iran from its passive role in the gas equation, but will also effectively elevate the country's position from a passive player to a regional and international gas intermediary,” the analyst said.
The country can benefit additionally from Iran by not only being a consumer of the gas imported from Russia and Turkmenistan, but also converting it into electricity in local power plants or into Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) and other intermediate products in the petrochemical industry.
He also urges Iran to join hands with India and Russia to set up the infrastructure for the same. “Iran has the potential infrastructure to realise this strategy thanks to the extensive network of national pipelines, numerous gas-fired power plants, strategic ports in the south of the country, and proximity to open waters, he added.
“Becoming the absolute hub of gas trade in the region can not only transform the country's economy, but also strengthen Iran's diplomatic and geopolitical position. Iran's natural and geographical capacities, along with special relations with countries with rich gas resources such as Russia and Turkmenistan, as well as its proximity to large gas-consuming markets such as India, have provided a suitable basis for playing the role of an intermediary and gas hub,” he added.
Middle East