India ready for talks with Iran on IPI pipeline

Cancun, Mar 31: India proposed dialogue with Iran to discuss the obstruction in implementation of the Iran-Pakistan-India (IPI) gas pipeline project, three years after talks have been stalled between the two countries.

The proposal for bilateral talks was put forward by Petroleum Minister Murli Deora during his meeting with Iran's Deputy Minister for International Affairs H Noghrehkar Shirazi on the sidelines of the 12th International Energy Forum.

"We are ready to hold talks and have proposed meeting of Joint Working Group (of the two countries) on the pipeline project," Sunil Jain, Joint Secretary (International Cooperation), said after the meeting.

"We are waiting for them (Iran) to decide on the dates," he added.

India had suspended dialogue with Iran on the project since 2007 due to security concerns.

New Delhi's proposal for formal talks came in the wake of pacts signed by Iran and Pakistan to implement much-discussed project on basis of bilateral ties.

Asking Iran to ensure a safe passage of gas through 1,035-km pipeline length in Pakistan, India said that it would pay for the fuel only if it is delivered at Indo-Pak border.

However, Iran recommended a trilateral mechanism, which called for contractual provisions between three countries, to ensure safe delivery of gas to India.

Officials said that such system would mean that India will have to pay for its share of gas even if the supplies were to be disrupted in Pakistan.

OneIndia News