Energy Crisis: India will become the center of energy connectivity in South Asia regions, and will play a big role

The way the Ukraine war has brought forth the problem of an energy crisis in the whole world, the concern of small countries in South Asia has also increased. Not only Nepal, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka but countries like Myanmar also want their energy connectivity with India to increase further so that if in the future due to any geopolitical reason, they are saved from affecting the supply of energy products. Leaders of these countries have expressed their willingness in their bilateral talks with Indian leaders in recent months.

India will play an important role in solving the energy crisis

India is already playing an important role in meeting the energy needs of its neighboring countries, but now in the new situation, it is working on a comprehensive and integrated plan to connect the energy sector of these countries. Under this, India will meet the need for petroleum products of these countries in the medium term, while in the long term, it will also play an important role in the supply of energy options like solar energy, and green hydrogen.

Recently, an agreement has been reached on the plan to build a petroleum pipeline from India to Sri Lanka. This will be the third international pipeline built by India in South Asia. India has so far laid pipelines to supply petroleum products to Nepal (Motihari-Amlekganj) and Bangladesh ((Siliguri to Parbatipur). Work is on laying two more petroleum pipelines to Nepal.

While a proposal has also come from Bangladesh to lay a pipeline to two more cities. These will not only save billions of rupees annually to neighboring countries as now they will not have to spend heavily on transportation of petrochemical products from Indian refineries but will also ensure supply.

India also intends to gradually connect the power sector of these countries with a transmission line. It is not that only these small countries will benefit from energy connectivity.

India will buy 10,000 MW of hydroelectricity annually from Nepal

Seeing the immense potential of hydropower projects in Nepal, India is working on several projects there. Recently, a long-term agreement has been signed between the two countries for the purchase of electricity, under which India will buy 10,000 MW of hydroelectric power annually from Nepal. It will meet the energy requirement of India. But India intends to connect its power transmission line with the power transmission lines of Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, and other neighboring countries.

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) is also ready to finance such a program. Talks have started with the governments of all these countries in this regard. This step will be taken under "One World, One Grid". Its roadmap is currently being prepared.

According to an official, "The day is not far when the hydroelectric power generated in Nepal and the solar energy generated in Sri Lanka will be available on a transmission line set up by India's mercy and the South Asian countries will be able to buy power from them as per their requirement."

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