An American expert on Middle East policy and energy security today said there is a chance of the US exporting gas to India as it would become the largest producer of gas by 2017.

“The US is now projected to export gas. According to International Energy Agency, the US will produce more gas than Russia (presently No 1) by 2017. In only four years, the US will become the largest gas producer in the world. And I would not rule out that the United States exports gas to India,” Gawdat Bahgat, Professor of National Security Affairs at Washington-based National Defence University, said here.

On how the US government saw India’s action in the Iran-Pakistan-India pipeline project, he said, “I believe India responded to the US request not to agree on the pipeline, not only because of Pakistan but also because India did not wish to see Iran with nuclear weapons.”

Contending that India is “very dependent” on foreign supplies, he said India’s negotiations with Iran on the pipeline had stalled because of many problems.

“There is a lack of trust between India and Pakistan. Gas pipelines are very expensive. They need political stability and security. So one of the challenges for this pipeline was the tense relations between India and Pakistan,” he said.

He also said it is not easy for Indian government to put something very important as energy security at the hands of Pakistan since the relationship between both the countries is “not based on mutual trust”.

Asked his opinion on Iran’s nuclear programme, he said, “It is the policy of the US government from stopping not only Iran but any country from acquiring nuclear weapon. When more countries have nuclear weapons, there is a greater chance of making mistakes, miscalculation. To a greater extent, war happens because of miscalculation.”

He said Iran’s nuclear programme is more developed today than a year ago. “Iran cannot survive these sanctions for a long period of time.”

Sanctions on Iran were preventing war, he said, adding, “If you put yourself in the US shoes, nuclear Iran is very dangerous...To prevent Iran from crossing this line, the US is trying to employ all means short of war. The US does not want to start war...We are hoping that sanctions will work sooner than later.”

“If Iran is more transparent, if Iran gives more assurances, I believe there is a good chance for a solution.”

He said Iran would go to the polls this June and the period after that is important for that country.

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