LNG contract with India still open: Iran

New Delhi, Jan 16 (UNI) Iran today said it is open for further discussions with the Indian government on the 22-billion-dollar import contract of liquefied natural gas (LNG) signed in 2005, saying ''the chapter is not yet closed.'' ''Iran is open to hold discussions on the LNG contract, as the chapter is not yet closed,'' Iran Economic Affairs and Finance Minister Danesh Jafari told reporters here.

India has signed an agreement with Iran for supply of LNG has hit an impasse with Iran insisting on some key changes in the contract.

On price at which gas would be made available to India, the Iranian Minister said that everyday the price is changing, adding that ''as soon as we finalise the deal, we hope India would be given some concession on the gas price.'' Petroleum Minister Murli Deora emphasised that a solution to implement the LNG deal should be arrived at by the two countries.

He also expressed keen interest in finalising the Iran-Pakistan-India (IPI) gas pipeline project.

On IPI, Dr Jafari said the Iranian government is waiting for India and Pakistan to finalise their bilateral issues, adding that Iran and Pakistan have nearly reached at the agreement.

Iran is the fourth largest oil producer and second largest gas producer after Russia.

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