New Delhi (AsiaNews/Agencies) – India will soon sign an agreement with Iran and Pakistan to build a multi-billion dollar gas pipeline, India’s Petroleum Minister Murli Deora said yesterday after a meeting with his Iranian counterpart Gholam Hosein Nozari. Only some “minor problems” had still to be sorted out.
On the discussion table since 1994, the 2,600-km (1,620-mile) pipeline project will cost US$ 7.5 billion.
India has boycotted trilateral meetings since mid-2007, saying it wanted to resolve the issues of transit fees and security with Pakistan, but now those stumbling blocks seem to have been removed (Deora noted that the Pakistan oil minister has changed) as India’s energy needs have become more urgent.
The United States has always opposed the deal because it helps Iran sell its gas, but India and Pakistan already buy energy from Iran and for India Tehran is a gateway to Central Asia.
Experts note that the project will improve regional security by forcing the three states to work together and become mutually dependent.