Nov. 19 – The offer to join the Iran-Pakistan-India gas pipeline still stands for India although Iran cannot wait indefinitely because the structure of the project could still change.
Work on the massive project has already begun since Iran signed a bilateral arrangement with Pakistan. “We have a bilateral arrangement with Pakistan and the door is open for our Indian friends. That (IPI) will be a reality…but I am not sure about the future,” Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki was quoted as saying by The Financial Express during the Indian Council of World Affairs.
More than 100 kilometers of the pipeline has been completed on the Iranian side while work has begun in Pakistan. “But when you consider this pipeline bilaterally, there is a definite capacity. If we make commitments with other partners, with other pipelines, to other regions, in such a case may be in the future the structure of the project may change. I do hope to have Indian participation as soon as possible,” Mottaki added.
The plan for the 2,775 kilometer pipeline began almost two decades ago with the ambitious goal of transporting natural gas from Iran to Pakistan and India.
India has not said yes to the deal because of its disagreement with Iran and Pakistan over various issues like the security of the project, pricing of gas and the delivery point in the country. China has also expressed interest to join the proposed pipeline project.
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