Promoting Peace in Deserts of Sun and Wind: Renewable Energy Cooperation between India and Pakistan

Mar 23, 2020 | Mirza Sadaqat Huda
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 South Asia is one of the most conflict-prone regions in the world, in addition to facing chronic energy shortages and extreme vulnerability to climate change. Paradoxical to the existence of high- and low-level conflicts, some of the most ambitious transnational energy projects are being planned or are under construction in the region. While the development of gas and hydroelectricity features prominently in the regional energy agenda, opportunities for international cooperation on solar and wind farms have not yet garnered substantial interest from policymakers. In addition, very little is known about the potential impact of these projects on socio-economic development and regional cohesion. In this context, examining the potential for synergies between renewable energy projects at the India-Pakistan border can provide a compelling South Asian example of the ambitious United Nations goal of linking sustainable development to sustaining peace.