Russia, India Could Discuss Idea of Gas Pipeline

Russia is likely to discuss the idea of a gas pipeline to India when Russian President Vladimir Putin visits New Delhi later this year, reports Business Standard newspaper.

The topic of gas pipeline came up when India’s Petroleum Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and Russian counterpart Alexander Novak met this week on the sidelines of the World Petroleum Conference in Moscow.

During former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's visit to Moscow last October, India and Russia had agreed to set up a joint group to look into the possibility of overland transportation of hydrocarbons.

The two countries also have long-term LNG supply and gas-swap deals on the table if the pipeline does not work out, says Business Standard.

"It is going to be a physical challenge to bring a pipeline from China to India through the Himalayas, so a route via China is impractical. On the other hand, any pipeline through Central Asia is a challenge because it has to cross Afghanistan and Pakistan. The possibility of LNG imports or swap deals would be more viable for India," Debasish Mishra, senior director, Deloitte India told the newspaper.

Russia is working towards expanding its reach in the Asia gas market. The gas rich nation is especially eyeing China and India. Recently, Russia and China signed a 30-year deal for Gazprom to deliver Russian gas to China.