Close on the heels of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh voicing concern over the security risks involved in the Iran-Pakistan-India gas pipeline, Minister for Petroleum Mani Shankar Aiyar said on Saturday that the country’s deal with the U.S. on nuclear energy was not a “quid pro quo” for abandoning the $ 7.4-billion pipeline project.
Asked if India had agreed to ground the pipeline project for import of Iranian natural gas so as to obtain nuclear fuel and technology from the U.S. for power generation, Mr. Aiyar quipped: “I don’t think there is any connection between the two.”
Are any American voters reading anything, learning anything — understanding what the world thinks of our government and “our” policies?
Subir Raha, the government-appointed head of India’s biggest oil company, said the U.S. would be “stupid” to attack Iran and risk imposing record oil prices on the global economy….
“You launch one more attack and you can’t even guess where the speculation will go,” Raha said. “With the stalemate in Afghanistan, stalemate in Iraq and elsewhere, you already have a price of $55 a barrel.”
“I see no reason why India’s priorities should be subservient to U.S. priorities,” said Raha, who has worked for state-run oil companies for the past 35 years. “The U.S. is chasing oil and gas as badly as China or India or anybody else.”
Sounds like you’ve been catching up on your India/Asia News while waiting for your tandoori chicken.
A quid pro quo would be interesting, because by supporting India, the US is violating the Nuclear Non-proliferation treaty.
Who cares what they think about our goverment. It only matters what we think of our goverment. That is why you 49 percenters will continue to loose votes. People not U.S. citizens can not vote here. I think it is a law or something! Start worrying about us and not them.
Andy – it matters what “they” think of the us government, not for the voting but for future goodwill, which bush is currently pissing away at a higher rate than your dollar. There will come a time – and it is the height of arrogance and blindness to think it won’t, when the US will need favours. They won’t be forthcoming.
Instead there is a reservoir level of ill will building – believe it or not, contrary to popular neocon opinions there was a lot of liking and respect for America prior to Bush, that has evaporated now. In the eyes of the world, having elected him twice, Bush is America.
Also, in case you hadn’t noticed, the emerging economies (India, China et al) are strategising to minimise their dependence on the US – your economic clout, which counts for more than your military is waning rapidly.
Finally – I love the way you neocons marginalise the 49% who voted against the republicans, marvellous to see “democracy” in action.
Ok, so what’s the point of the postings? There’s nothing to respond to here. The entire world needs oil. get over it.