Pipeline from Iran will be a mistake: US

The Financial Express:

US cautioned India on Thursday that it would be making a mistake if it went ahead with the gas pipeline project with Iran and that the US would continue to discourage such projects. READ MORE

According to Stephen G Rademaker, assistant secretary of state for arms control, Iran could use the money from the project for illegitimate purposes. “We think it will be a mistake. Because such a pipeline project could provide funds to Iran government which could use it for funding terrorism and weapons of mass destruction,” he told mediapersons after having discussions with senior Indian government officials. The US has a legislation which threatens sanctions against such projects. “That is our policy. We will continue to discourage such projects,” he added.

Asserting that the US was aware of India’s growing energy requirements, Mr Rademaker said the legislation brought in by India for nuclear energy control was very good but end-game was the implementation of the regulations.

The US official is here for discussions with Indian officials on carring forward the dialogue on strategic system and non-proliferation issues. Responding to a question whether the US would impose sanctions against Pak, as secretary of state Condoleezza Rice had reportedly threatened, the US official said Washington had not taken a formal position on the project yet.

“We are talking in a generic term and have not taken a formal view since it is at the proposal stage and both sides are still talking,” Mr Rademaker added.