Swamy flays Iran-India pipeline through Pak

Chennai, Feb 2 (UNI) Janata Party President Subramanian Swamy today strongly opposed the Centre's decision to pursue the Iran-India gas pipeline through Pakistan, terming it a ''wild risk''.

It would make India's energy supply hostage to Pakistan and dependent on future governments in that country, he said in a statement here.

He said India would have to pay more than half a billion USD to Pakistan annually as fee for the pipeline to pass through their territory.

''When Paksistan cannot protect pipelines in its own territory, how can it protect this pipeline?'' he asked.

He suggested the government procure gas from Iran by laying a pipeline under the ocean as it would be secure even if it took more time.

UNI