'N-deal will not affect Iran gas pipeline proj'

Bangalore, Sep 19: Union Minister for Science and Technology Kapil Sibal today asserted that India will not back out from the proposed multi-billion dollar gas pipeline project with Iran following the signing of Indo-US civilian nuclear deal. Speaking to newsmen here, Mr Sibal, who was on nation-wide campaign to highlight the importance of the nuclear deal said India had not backed out with Gas Pipe line project with Iran.

Dismissing the notion that US had signed Indo-U.S nuclear agreement only to scuttle the Gas pipeline project, he said that government was tapping all sources to meet the future energy needs of the country. "We are looking at different options and it is not desirable to put all the eggs in one basket," Mr Sibal said.

Stating that the nuclear deal and its related 123 agreement would not jeopardise the relations with Iran, he said that equal importance would also be given to other proposals in the efforts of bridging the supply and demand gap for power and other energy needs, he said.

Referring to Left parties' opposition to nuke deal, he said West Bengal Chief Minister had recognised the importance of nuclear energy and expressed confidence that those opposed the deal would untimately be convinced.

UNI