Democracy News

This is the global news and analysis blog of Why Democracy House, part of the largest factual multimedia event in the world: Ten new documentaries about democracy broadcast worldwide between Oct. 8 and 18.

Or join us elsewhere on the web:

YouTube | Myspace

Facebook | Blogspot

About the Author

Biographical

Atanu Dey is an economist with Netcore Solutions in Mumbai, India. Prior to receiving his PhD in economics from UC Berkeley, he worked at Hewlett Packard in the Silicon Valley. His interests include rural development and the use of technology in education. He has a blog on India's development.

Topics

Pakistan Europe Latin America climate change president Russia China USA Zimbabwe Africa elections human rights Burma democracy 10 Questions

more tags

Subscribe to this site

India and Myanmar

posted by Atanu Dey at 18h12 GMT on Sep 28

The Indian economy has been growing rapidly the last few years and necessarily requires enormous amounts of energy for it. As it is dependent on imported hydrocarbon fuels for its needs, it has an interest in those states which are potential energy suppliers. The stability of Myanmar is a matter of concern for India as it is considering investing US$ 150 million in natural gas exploration there.

Nitin Pai of The Acorn asks:

India’s energy security is often cited in justifying its hands-off approach to the anti-dictatorship movement in Myanmar. Murli Deora, the petroleum minister, found time to fly into Myanmar earlier this week—even as the protests were gathering strength—to sign a deal under which India will invest $150 million in a natural gas exploration in the country [also see Sandeep Dikshit’s report in The Hindu]. So, does securing natural gas supplies from Myanmar require India to be wary of rubbing the junta on the wrong side? [Source]

He concludes "that there is not much to the claim that supporting the junta is vital as far as securing gas supplies is concerned. Indeed, it can be argued that the countries that bring about a positive political change in Myanmar might be beneficiaries in future energy deals"

Tags:

India and Myanmar

Comments:

Post new comment