"India is highly dependent on oil imports, and approximately 70 per cent of India?s oil is imported. By 2020 India is expected to import 80 per cent of its energy needs. Expecting an exponential growth in its energy demands from an expanding economy India has been trying hard to secure hydrocarbon energy supplies. Amongst other options, India has been looking eastwards to the extensive naturalgas reserves of Bangladesh and Myanmar, which have become vital for India?s economic growth. The geographic proximity of Bangladesh and Myanmar to India makes the import of gas not just convenient, but an economically attractive proposition. In addition, the energy needs of eastern India, particularly the northeastern states, would be better served by gas from Myanmar and Bangladesh rather than from reserves in Iran and other distant fields...By failing to resolve the Indo-Bangladesh political stalemate, India risks losing out to Chinese firms (and other energy-hungry nations in Southeast Asia). Therefore, Indian officials should weigh and reconsider the prospects of accepting (or rejecting) Bangladesh?s demands. With regard to the Bangladeshi trade deficit, the lifting of trade barriers will not cost the Indian exchequer much; in fact in the long-run, it may help cement prospects of greater bilateral cooperation, particularly concerning security issues..."