Energy Security and Military Security

INRODUCTION

The Indian economy has been increasing at a fast pace since 1991, and the demand for energy in all sectors has been increasing steadily. Energy security has thus, become a major component of our national security. In the coming years, the demand for energy will only increase the world over and, ensuring access to uninterrupted supply of energy resources would become all the more critical. Thus, military strategy with special emphasis on maritime strategy would need to be given prominence in our quest for energy security for national interest.

AIM

The aim of this paper is to define the interlinks between India's Energy Security with respect to the National Interests and Military Strategy .

ENERGY SECURITY AND MILITARY STRATEGY

Energy Requiremensts

1. After years of protectionism, India initiated a process of restructuring its economy in 1991. In a series of slow but steady steps, the tightly controlled economy was opened up, a process which continues within the constraints imposed by a democratic polity. Due to opening of economy, India's energy demand surged exponentially. The energy security became one of the most important national interest. Presently, we are dependent on imports for 80% of our energy needs.

The energy demand the world over is increasing, while, the energy sources are diminishing. India, due to its strategic location is in a position to effectively channelise its resources, both political and military, to secure its energy needs for the future.

Maritime Strategy

The Strait of Hormuz leading out of the Persian Gulf is one of the world's most strategic chokepoints. Since, the world's energy market is largely dependent upon reliable sea transport, the blockage of a chokepoint, even temporarily, can lead to substantial increase in total energy costs. In addition, chokepoints leave oil tankers vulnerable to piracy and terrorist attacks, Any political unrest in the Gulf region could also lead to rise in oil prices as was witnessed during the Gulf war.

The role of the navy in implementing the maritime strategy to safeguard our energy routes thus assumes criticality. We need to think and plan about safeguarding our energy interests in the Arabian Sea including safeguarding of ISLs and Bombay High oil exploration region. The proposed gas pipeline from Turkmenistan to India via Afghanistan and Pakistan has also been a non-starter. This was one of the most ambitious projects planned by the country considering the instability in Afghanistan and political instability in Pakistan. The security of this pipeline cannot be guaranteed from both, state and non-state actors in Pakistan.

Iran has often threatened the United States regarding chocking the supplies and maritime trade from Strait of Hormuz. Such an eventuality, would lead to a major economic crisis. To overcome such an unforeseen scenario, there is a need for India to have reserve stock of oil and gas which can last for upto two months. A gas reserve is presently being built by India at Visakhapatnam. In addition, there is a need for India to maintain favourable relations with all the Oil producing nations.

Alternate Means of Energy.

To secure our ever increasing energy requirements, we also need to develop other sources of energy. These would include the following:-

(a) Wind energy

(b) Solar energy

(c) Hydro electric power projects.

(d) Nuclear plants.

It is a known fact that, India would not be able to meet all its energy