This refers to the report “Indian refineries seek help from Saudi Arabia to counter Iran oil supply cut” (July 22). India seems to be moving from one unreliable country to the other to meet its crude oil demands. Saudi Arabia is not a better alternative to Iran. Though, unlike Iran, it may not face external threats from Israel or the US, the internal situation in the Arab nation is not as stable as projected.
Crude oil prices are continuing to spiral and the commodity is taking the lion’s share of our imports. Yet our response to the uncertain supply of crude oil has been to delay looking for alternative sources of fuel. In this respect, the US and Europe are already leading the way. Fuel blending (with ethanol from corn) is apace in the US and Europe is looking for cleaner and cheaper alternatives like wind and tidal energy. It is about time India, too, starts investing in renewable energy.
Raghu Seshadri, Chennai
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