Abstract
The Iran-Pakistan-India (IPI) peace pipeline is considered a win-win proposition for the three countries which may lead to enhanced economic interdependence and promote durable confidence building measures. This project can be integrated into the Chinese led economic integration initiatives called the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), which is expected to help Pakistan become an economic hub and energy corridor for the major rising economic states in the region like China and India. Massive industrialization in the South and South-East Asian region has exponentially increased the energy demand to cater to the global market needs. This paper investigates why notwithstanding the consistently growing energy demands in the region the IPI has as yet not materialized despite being an opportunity for both economic development and conflict resolution. Following a retrospective analysis of the developments since the project was announced, the paper concludes that political disputes among neighboring countries of South Asia and US sanctions on Iran are the core challenges that have hampered this and other development initiatives. Sanctions, however, have generally remained ineffective in international relations due to the rise of complex interdependence. Iran and Pakistan, as participant countries in the peace pipeline, are determined to continue the project for viable peace and development in the region.