Date:16/03/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/03/16/stories/2006031601621000.htm

Opinion - Editorials

In search of energy security

Close on the heels of a Memorandum of Understanding with Myanmar, India has signed an MoU with Mauritius to explore for hydrocarbons off the island nation's coast. The Oil and National Gas Corporation (ONGC) will work with the Mauritius Oceanography Institute to identify the areas and then draw up plans for exploration. First of all, a detailed geological study will have to be undertaken before the ONGC can begin the explorations at identified spots. This agreement with Mauritius is the latest of such initiatives by India for acquiring a certain degree of energy security. Instead of depending heavily on a single source of oil supply, or just on a few avenues of energy, such as coal-based thermal power, New Delhi is endeavouring to have multiple choices. The nuclear deal with the United States, the on-shore exploration pact with Myanmar, and now the MoU with Mauritius provide both depth and spread to the oil-energy security scenario for the country. The ONGC should be in a position to move forward quickly in Mauritius and get the process started. And if the Iran pipeline plan also comes through, India will have an impressive array of projects on its hands for implementation. Equally important, the Centre, deploying the Navy and Coast Guard, must evolve a detailed energy security programme to safeguard these projects both during implementation and after commissioning.

President Kalam's visits to Myanmar and Mauritius have brought into sharp focus such key issues as energy, technology, and economic cooperation. During the visit, Mauritius decided to join the 53-nation telecom grid that India has proposed to the Commission of African Union. In 2004, Mr. Kalam had himself shaped this plan under which India will set up and manage for five years, a satellite-linked network based in Ivory Coast. Aside from these agreements, the Presidential visit to Mauritius acquires significance in the context of the close bilateral relations between the two countries, and this has been demonstrated to be bipartisan on both sides. Mr. Kalam's visit to the Apravasi ghat symbolises the links with the past. New Delhi has extended assistance in an assortment of areas ranging from agriculture to information technology. With Mauritius serving as the headquarters of the Indian Ocean Rim Association of Regional Cooperation, there has been a strategic bonding too. It is perhaps time that some life was injected into this Association of countries washed by the Indian Ocean. Unfortunately, except for the increase in membership from 14 to 21, precious little has been achieved by this grouping that extends from Mauritius to Australia. It has the potential to evolve into a special platform for Africa-Asia-Australia cooperation. As two of the main founders of this Association, India and Mauritius have a special responsibility to make this Rim forum an instrument of economic and strategic cooperation.