Iran may replace India and Pak with Europe in gas deal

Dubai, July 2 (UNI) Iran is considering substituting India and Pakistan with Europe in the gas deal that is caught in controversy, according to oil ministry official.

Deputy Oil Minister for International and Caspian Sea Affairs Mohammad-Hadi Nejad-Hosseinian said the supply to the two neighbours might be lower than expected even if the 'peace pipeline' project goes through.

''Based on the national gas (supply-demand) balance, no surplus will remain for exports to Europe if a pipeline with the capacity for transfer of 150 million cubic meters per day to India and Pakistan is laid,'' Tehran Times has reported.

Asked whether Europe will replace India and Pakistan in the gas deal, Mr Nejad-Hosseinian said, ''If Europe gas demand equals the amount, no gas will remain for India and Pakistan. In that case, gas supply to India and Pakistan will be possible by lowering the figure.'' Referring to India-Pakistan gas pipeline, he said the next round of talks with the two nations has been postponed to the fourth week of July from the third week.

He said India and Pakistan would greatly benefit from bilateral political relations and the two would also get closer to the huge source of energy in the region.

The Iran-Pakistan-India gas project envisages a pipeline of about 2,600-kilometers that would help meet India's growing need for energy.

UNI XC CS BST1739