Regional Energy Trade in South Asia

Abstract

The South Asian region represents 22 per cent of the world's total population comprising over one billion, of which 30–40 per cent lives below poverty line. Of them, only 40–50 per cent have access to electricity. Despite the development, the countries of South Asian region are energy starved. To meet the growing energy requirements, energy trade between these countries is essential. But South Asia's current cross-border energy trade is limited to Bhutan, India and Nepal. Recently, energy trade between Bangladesh, India and Pakistan has been proposed, in line with the construction of liquefied natural gas pipeline from Myanmar to India through Bangladesh, and Iran to India through Pakistan. These proposed energy trade projects, if implemented successfully, will contribute to integrate regional economies.