New Indian Express: India may not Get US Shale Gas

Even as the forthcoming meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Barack Obama next week will put the spotlight on renewable energy, India’s wish list for a relatively clean source of energy--LNG imports from US’s shale gas reserves-- is unlikely to be realised.

Sources indicated that the joint declaration, which is still being negotiated, will have a clear leaning towards new and renewable energy in line with the Prime Minister’s priority for clean energy.  While shale gas will find a mention in the document, it will not give an explicit guarantee about the US’ LNG supplies. Rather, it will talk about providing US technical help in exploiting India’s own shale gas resources.

Ever since the US became a net exporter of energy, India has been looking to tie-up some supplies. The biggest bottleneck has been American domestic law that does not allow exports to countries with whom Washington has not signed a free trade agreement (FTA). MORE