U.S.-India energy pact undermines climate orthodoxy while solidifying counter-Chinese alliance
05/02/2025 / By Willow Tohi
The U.S. and India formalized a trade agreement prioritizing fossil fuels and energy security, facilitating American LNG exports and joint offshore exploration. The deal strengthens economic ties and counters Western climate policies, reflecting India’s strategic shift toward energy diversification and reduced reliance on Middle Eastern gas.
India’s GAIL secured a long-term deal for 1 million metric tons of U.S. LNG annually, advancing its goal to increase natural gas in its energy mix to 15% by 2030.
The move aligns with India’s post-1991 economic reforms, which spurred rapid GDP growth, and mirrors past infrastructure successes like the Golden Quadrilateral highway project.
The deal reinforces the QUAD alliance (U.S., India, Japan, Australia) and bolsters India’s role in countering China’s dominance in Indo-Pacific trade routes. India’s strong services exports (vs. Vietnam’s merchandise reliance) give it leverage in negotiations, reducing vulnerability to U.S. tariffs.
India openly prioritizes energy security over Western climate targets, postponing its net-zero goal to 2070 amid power shortages and a growing population. A senior negotiator rejected “climate cartel fearmongering,” framing hydrocarbon development as essential for sovereignty and economic resilience.
https://www.climate.news/2025-05-02-us-india-energy-pact-undermines-climate-orthodoxy.html
