Dealing in detail with the exiting energy scenario in South Asia, with special reference to India, Dr. Ebinger highlighted how mistrust and dithering in taking crucial decisions at the right time, has hindered and hampered the pace of energy security in the region. As he stated, it was a series of “lost opportunities” and lack of vision on the part of the political leadership in many south Asian country and, more pronouncedly, in India.

The situation has become worse with shortsighted energy policies followed by the south Asian countries in planning, coordinating, pricing and regulatory mechanisms. Dr. Ebinger was clear in his prognosis- as the fulcrum of the south Asian region, India must address its energy introversion in the interest of its own energy security, as well as that of the entire region. He mentioned in this context the huge untapped hydro-electric resources in Nepal and India’s strange reluctance in extending its helping hand to Nepal, even when China is silently moving in to fill the void.

Mr. Akbar Khaleeli, former Indian Ambassador to Iran, supported the conclusions drawn by Dr. Ebinger and mentioned about the strange way India withdrew from the Iran-Pakistan- India pipeline negotiations. He was participating in the interactive session.

The extremely absorbing and informative talk was adroitly moderated by Dr. J. Gururaja.