India to sign energy pact with Myanmar

New Delhi, Mar 8 (UNI) India will sign an agreement with Myanmar on energy cooperation during the ongoing visit of President A P J Abdul Kalam to the country's South-East Asian neighbour.

The agreement could be a prelude to sale of natural gas by Myanmar to India, according to sources. India will be proposing a gas pipeline either through Bangladesh or the North-East region of India.

According to Minister of State for Labour and Employment Chandra Sekhar Sahu, the pipeline could run on the eastern coast of Orissa via Gopalpur and Paradeep.

''Gopalpur will be feasible for the gas pipeline from Myanmar,'' Mr Sahu said.

Myanmar has large reserves of natural gas, which it is willing to sell to its Asian neighbours, including China and India.

UNI RT/FZ MA HS1943