The remark you're referring to came after U.S. President Donald Trump suggested that Pakistan could one day sell oil to India if significant reserves were developed. Indian industrialist Harsh Goenka responded humorously, implying that such a scenario is extremely unlikely.
The phrase often quoted is along the lines of:
"More likely to happen in Lagaan than in real life."
This is a reference to the fictional film Lagaan, where villagers achieve an improbable victory against British rulers. Goenka's joke suggests that Pakistan exporting oil to India is similarly far-fetched under current circumstances.
What's the reality of Pakistan's "massive" oil reserves?
Recent reports have discussed the possibility of offshore hydrocarbon deposits in Pakistan's territorial waters. However:
- No commercially proven "massive" oil reserve has been officially confirmed.
- Exploration is still in its early stages, and companies would need to conduct extensive drilling to determine whether extraction is economically viable.
- Even if large deposits exist, developing an offshore oil field typically takes many years and billions of dollars in investment.
- Pakistan currently remains a net importer of crude oil and petroleum products, relying heavily on imports to meet domestic demand.
Could Pakistan realistically export oil to India?
At present, this is highly unlikely because:
- There is no proven surplus oil production.
- India and Pakistan have limited trade relations due to longstanding political tensions.
- Building the infrastructure and commercial agreements needed for oil exports would require significant diplomatic and economic changes.
So, Harsh Goenka's comment was a satirical reaction to what many observers see as a highly speculative possibility rather than an imminent economic reality.