Iran to India Gas Pipeline

Indian Oil Minister Mani Shankar Aiyar is visiting Islamabad at the weekend to hold talks with Pakistan over a proposed route for a gas pipeline from Iran, which he said he hopes will lead to an agreement that attracts companies and finance for the multi-billion dollar project.

Aiyar will meet his counterpart Amanullah Khan Jadoon to discuss a proposed 2,775-kilometer energy corridor in Pakistan to deliver gas from Iran’s South Pars field to the Indian border.

‘If security and other issues are resolved with Pakistan, I would say construction could begin with all deliberate speed in three years,’ Aiyar told Agence France-Presse.

‘This could be an international consortium or other entity. We are only a customer right now, but security and other agreements will make this project viable for investors.’

Aiyar said from India’s side, the actual construction of the pipeline will be the job of Iran and Pakistan. India’s role will be to negotiate a price for the gas if the pipeline reaches its border.

‘There are talks with Iran on pricing,’ Aiyar said, declining to discuss specifics.

http://www.forbes.com/markets/feeds/afx/2005/06/01/afx2068030.html