Deora urges Iran for supply of 5 million tonnes of gas to India

New Delhi, Apr 26 (UNI) Petroleum Minister Murli Deora today urged for an early implementation of the contract to supply five million tonnes of LNG per annum from Iran signed in June 2005 apart from the proposed Iran-Pakistan-India gas pipeline project.

Mr Deora currently in Iran called on President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and met his counterpart Kazem Vaziri Hamaneh at Tehran today. He also met Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki.

The visit was part of regular exchanges at a high level meeting between India and Iran. The Minister was accompanied by Secretary, Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas M S Srinivasan and the CMDs of ONGC, GAIL and EIL.

During their discussions both the sides stressed on the traditional and friendly ties between the two countries. They recognised that the energy sector constitutes a key element in Indo-Iran commercial relations.

Mr Deora stressed the need for early implementation of the LNG contract and reiterated India's commitment to the gas pipeline project.

The Minister also conveyed the growing interest and keenness of India's private sector to participate in Iran's economic development in sectors as diverse as cement, steel, fertilisers, pharmaceuticals and automobiles.

President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad reassured Mr Deora that the Iranian side is also committed to the projects, which will be implemented to mutual satisfaction. In particular, the President advised the Iranian Oil Ministry to look at ways to ensure early implementation of the LNG contract. India also expressed interest in procuring an additional quantity of 2.5 million tonnes of LNG per annum.

UNI