India,
Iran pledge committment to build gas pipeline
AFP
NEW
DELHI
Petroleumworld.com
02 24 06
India and Iran Thursday pledged their commitment to building a
multi-billion-dollar gas pipeline through Pakistan during talks
between Iran's deputy foreign minister Mehdi Safari and Indian
leaders, a government statement said.
Both sides "reaffirmed their commitment to the Iran-Pakistan-India
gas pipeline and an early ratification of the LNG (liquefied natural
gas) deal" signed last June, the foreign ministry statement
said.
The June agreement, worth 22 billion dollars, provides for the
import of five million tonnes of Iranian gas annually over a 25-year
period from 2009.
Negotiations on the proposed pipeline through Pakistan began in
1994 but has made little headway because of tensions between Pakistan
and India, which have fought three wars since gaining independence
in 1947 from Britain.
The pipeline would supply gas from the massive South Pars offshore
fields in the Gulf.
However, since January 2004, the two rivals have been engaged
in a peace process and relations are at their best for years.
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.
Aside from relations between the two neighbours, there are other
obstacles.
The United States, an increasingly close ally of India and leading
critic of Iran, has also made clear its objections to New Delhi
buying gas from a country it accuses of supporting terrorism and
attempting to make a nuclear bomb.
Iran has denied it is seeking to develop atomic weapons.
The talks also come at a time when India is seeking to cement
a nuclear co-operation agreement with the United States 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.
The foreign ministry statement said Safari discussed Iran's nuclear
programme and the upcoming International Atomic Energy Agency
(IAEA) meeting on March 6.
"On the Iran issue in the IAEA, the Indian side emphasised
the need for all sides to eschew confrontation, exercise restraint
and demonstrate flexibility in order to find a solution,"
it said.
Last week, Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh told parliament
that New Delhi was worried by "escalating rhetoric"
over Iran's nuclear programme.
Singh said Iran had the "legal right" to develop peaceful
uses for nuclear energy consistent with its international commitments
and obligations.
But it was "incumbent upon Iran to exercise these rights
in the context of safeguards that it has voluntarily accepted
upon its nuclear program" under the IAEA, Singh said.
India had voted against Iran at two meetings of the IAEA -- on
September 24 and on February 4.
AFP
02 23 06
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© 2006 AFP. All rights reserved
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