India mixes arms and energy access

India’s energy needs and status as a big global arms purchaser from some and supplier to others are increasingly becoming intertwined. Having lost out to China in several direct bids for energy sources around the world, the tying up of energy needs with arms supplies or purchase contracts is emerging as a subtle, even if unstated, strategy.

‘There is a thinking in the government that a connection can be made between military relationships and access to energy sources,” said a senior government official, on condition of not

being named. “Obviously such a relationship is being played out in a very quiet manner, as any enunciation of the same can result in negative repercussions.”
According to these sources, such a strategy is being played out in Central Asia, where India’s air base in Tajikistan, a former Soviet republic, will be operational by the end of this year. This will be India’s first real overseas military facility. Indian forces have been previously involved in humanitarian efforts internationally.

A joint operation at the Ayni Air Base near the Tajik capital Dushanbe is expected to be completed by this month, and the base will be operational by December. New Delhi is looking to station at least 12 MiG-29 fighters at Ayni. India has also offered to rebuild the Varzob-1 hydropower plant in Tajikistan. Observers say India’s interests in the region’s vast gas reserves is behind the foray. A closer intelligence-gathering network to monitor radical Muslim outfits in the region because of its proximity with Jammu and Kashmir is the other main purpose.

In Africa, Indian energy firms have linked energy ties with other infrastructure support.

Even as it tried hard in Africa and Russia for energy, India has always relished the idea of tapping Central Asian gas and petroleum resources. However, access has always been a problem because of geographical and political limitations, unlike, say, Qatar, Algeria, Indonesia or the Middle East, which are outside the envelope of trouble spots such as Afghanistan and Pakistan.

New Delhi is seeking access in Kazakhstan and looking at megaprojects such as the Iran-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (IPI) gas pipeline and another connecting Turkmenistan, Afghanistan, Pakistan and India. The Turkmenistan pipeline does not involve either Iran or the United States, and thus has none of the geopolitical problems.

However, there is every likelihood of encountering major security problems in these regions, with radical outfits such as the Taliban exercising control over vast areas of Afghanistan, as evidenced by the recent kidnapping and killing of South Korean hostages.

In this context, a military base in Tajikistan can provide additional leverage, critical intelligence inputs and the ability to keep a closer eye on key energy-rich centers of the region. Security cover can be provided to any pipeline network.

More examples from Asia Times