Asia-Pacific Implications of U.S. Policies for Climate Change, Energy, and Nuclear Proliferation
Adjunct Senior Fellow, Research Program, EWC
U.S. policies for addressing global climate change, energy concerns, and nuclear proliferation, are frequently incompatible with each other and present dilemmas for U.S. relations with other countries. In this presentation, we focus on the challenges faced in applying the policies consistently with respect to India , Pakistan , and Iran . India and Pakistan requires large additional amounts of imported energy. Given the current price and demand for oil, and the environmental problems associated with coal use, natural gas is the most logical major energy source for the next 20 years or more. Iran has the second largest proven reserves of natural gas, and its proximity to both countries means that an overland gas pipeline to India and Pakistan can be built at reasonable cost. The two countries have individually signed initial agreements with Iran to purchase natural gas. The United States is concerned about Iran ’s potential development of nuclear weapons, and has legislation in place to discourage other countries from undertaking any large projects in Iran . At the same time, the U. S. considers India and Pakistan as important allies, and is supportive of their goal of rapid and sustainable development. Recently, the U.S. offered advanced nuclear power technology to India , but not to Pakistan . The presentation will elaborate on some of these issues, and discuss some options for addressing climate change issues.