The Effects of Iran-Pakistan-India Pipeline on Consolidation of Regional Cooperation

On the base of considerable economic and geopolitics' implications of oil and gas in the contemporary world, they are considered as the most strategic sources of energy. Comparing oil and gas, natural gas due to its inherent environmentally benign nature, greater efficiency and cost effectiveness has been considered as the most preferred energy. Although given the unique features and increasing need of countries to natural gas, it can become bone of contention between the countries, the shared common basins or continental shelve, but at the same time, due to it's implication on durable and sustainable development, it can be served as a mean to reduce political conflicts and consolidate regional cooperation between participating countries in the natural gas transaction. Accordingly, while policy maker decide about natural gas export, they should consider economic as well as political implications of natural gas export. Possessing the second largest reserves in the world, Iran is considered as the major gas producer in the Middle East as well as among OPEC member countries. So the examination of the effects of Iran's natural gas export on consolidation of regional cooperation will be very helpful for Iranian policy maker while decide about Iran's natural gas export.