United States Congressman Jim McDermott has introduced a resolution in the House of Representatives supporting Pakistan-India gas pipeline, saying it a "landmark initiative in bilateral energy co-operation between the two countries."
The resolution, sent to the committee, says that the US national security depends on world peace. It is in the best interests of the US, as facilitator to support the agreement between India and Pakistan to construct a natural gas pipeline, a historic initiative."
It says, "an economically, politically and technically sound natural gas pipeline through Pakistan to India is a vehicle for furthering the national security of the US."
"The initiative would ensure energy security for Pakistan and India, while strengthening the peace process and fostering greater economic co-operation between the two historically hostile countries."
"Linkages and interdependencies between India and Pakistan such as this initiative should be encouraged as they have the potential to contribute to world peace." The resolution reads as:
Whereas, the US always strived for peaceful and cordial relations between India and Pakistan;
Whereas in 1995, before the Iran-Libya sanctions act of 1996 (US) was enacted into law, Pakistan and Iran signed agreement for construction of natural gas pipeline from Iran, which was later proposed to be extended to India, a historic initiative that would be an instrument of harmonising the relations;
Whereas in May 2005, the US dropped its opposition to Iran's application to join the World Trade Organisation;
Whereas, the potential for economic and developmental gain from natural gas will gradually encourage India and Pakistan to reassess their roles and policies in regional conflicts and in national security issues;
Whereas India and Pakistan are among the world's fastest growing economies, New Delhi in projecting growth of seven-percent for the year ending March 2006, while Islamabad expects Pakistan's economy to expand 6.4 percent for the year ending June 2005;
Whereas, the growth is causing South Asia' s energy demands to soar; Whereas, if this trend continues, India alone, by the year 2030 is expected to be dependent on imported oil for more than 90 percent of its oil supplies, according to the International Energy Agency, Paris;
Whereas, several alternative natural gas pipelines are under consideration by India and Pakistan, including the natural gas from Turkmenistan;
And, whereas, the US has a strong interest in encouraging peace between India and Pakistan and it is taking all appropriate actions to ensure that the most economically and politically feasible natural gas pipeline for India and Pakistan is constructed.
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