India energy minister says New Delhi committed to Iran pipeline
AFP
NEW DELHI
Petroleumworld.com 02 09 06
India's new oil minister reiterated New Delhi's commitment to
a multi-billion-dollar natural gas pipeline from Iran and said
talks with Pakistan on the project would resume next week.
"Pakistan's oil minister (Amanullah Khan Jadoon) is visiting
us February 17 and I will welcome him," Petroleum Minister
Murli Deora said, adding talks during his trip would focus on
the Iran-Pakistan-India gas pipeline project.
"We are committed to making the project happen as we need
the gas from Iran and we will continue to pursue the pipeline
project," he told reporters.
Deora was named petroleum minister in a cabinet shuffle earlier
this month, replacing Mani Shankar Aiyar, who media reports said
had ruffled US feathers with his vocal championing of the pipeline
to which Washington is opposed.
Analysts had suggested Deora, who is regarded as having close
ties with Washington, might be less outspoken in his support of
the pipeline.
Washington, which accuses Iran of seeking to build a nuclear bomb
and being a state sponsor of terrorism, has said it is "absolutely
opposed" to the seven-billion-dollar trans-Afghan project.
Deora's statement came after the United States won approval last
Saturday from the International Atomic Energy Agency to report
Iran over its nuclear programme to the Security Council which
could eventually impose sanctions.
Deora said the technical-level talks on the 2,600-kilometre (1,600-mile)
pipeline from Iran's Pars field would be comprehensive.
"The agenda of the talks would be project structure, framework
agreement, technical and legal issues and political insurance
of the pipeline. We are sincere and keen that the project comes
through," he said.
The
project would help overcome the nation's chronic fuel shortage.
"There are hurdles but we are committed," Deora said.
India plans to initially draw 60 million cubic metres (78 million
cubic yards) of gas from the pipeline and increase the quantity
to 90 million cubic metres within two to three years. Pakistan
has estimated its initial demand at 30 million cubic metres which
would double by 2013.
The pipeline talks come at a delicate time as India is seeking
to cement a nuclear co-operation agreement with the US that would
see Washington assist India with a civilian nuclear energy programme.
New Delhi, which is seeking new sources of fuel to feed its booming
economy, has been denied access to nuclear technology for over
two decades since testing a nuclear weapon and refusing to sign
the Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty.
India's hopes of importing gas piped across Pakistan gained ground
after the nuclear-armed rivals, who have fought three wars, began
a peace process in 2004.
AFP
02/08/06
Copyright
© 2006 AFP. All rights reserved
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