India, China locked in energy game

[dArKeR]

HONG KONG - In the words of Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, "China is ahead of us in planning for its energy security - India can no longer be complacent." These words conveyed the sense of urgency that India holds over meeting its energy needs.

India is playing catch-up with other major players in the global energy game. This realization has not come a moment too soon, given the advent of rising oil prices, India's unprecedented growth levels, lack of energy-efficient technologies and reliance on energy-heavy industries for its development.

Power shortages and blackouts continue to plague India's major cities and undermine the confidence of investors and foreign companies operating in India. These power shortages have been fueled by a combination of burgeoning growth rates, inefficiencies by the state-run power sector and power being stolen or siphoned for votes. The growing popularity of gas-guzzling sports utility vehicles and multi-purpose vehicles in India is also placing strains on its energy needs.

http://atimes.com/atimes/Asian_Economy/GC17Dk01.html

[leveymg]

1. Such things have led to war. How convenient

for those who fear and loath both civilizations.

[htuttle]

2. I think their real struggle is going to be over water

Once the glaciers in the Himalayas melt enough, they'll be having bigtime droughts on each side of the mountain range. That's about 3 billion people competing for a limited amount of water.

Oil struggles won't drive the two countries to fight over each other's territory (most of the oil is on other countries' territory). Water struggles will.

[leveymg]

3. Nothing is as destabilizing as a perception of relative depravation.

Remember the J-curve, Tuttle? That was taught in Sociology of Revolution 101 at Central Services Officers School.

To recap: revolutions, civil wars and crises are most likely to occur after some progress has been made in alleviating poverty and want. After expectations get raised, and if there's a downturn, all hell breaks lose.

The prescription offered in the Central Services Counter-Insurgency Handbook, Sec. 217.6 at page 47, para 3, line 1, is:

"Wean the Wogs off their water rations. Reduce it to half a liter per day immediately. That way when the drought hits, they won't notice the difference."

Of course, you have to submit an HQ permission form before you can do that. Now, what's the number of that form, Tuttle?