The Hindu : Iran wants `peace pipeline'

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, May 22, 2002

Opinion

Opinion - News Analysis

Iran wants `peace pipeline'

By C. Raja Mohan

New Delhi May 21. The Foreign Minister of Iran, Kamal Kharrazi, was in New Delhi for consultations with the Indian Government. In a conversation today with The Hindu, he spoke on bilateral relations, prospects for regional energy cooperation and on Iranian concerns about mounting Indo-Pakistani tensions. Excerpts from the interview:

C. Raja Mohan: It has been an year since the Prime Minister, Atal Behari Vajpayee, visited Iran. How do you assess the progress in bilateral relations since then?

Kamal Kharrazi: The movement forward in bilateral relations has been very positive. The level of trade between India and Iran has tripled in the last three years to more than $2 billions. In terms of political cooperation, our relations are closer now and we are working together. In general, then, the visit of Mr. Vajpayee to Teheran last year was a milestone in bilateral relations.

What is the state of play on the proposed natural gas pipeline from Iran to India via Pakistan?

Feasibility studies are being done on different options on transporting energy to India from Iran. One option is to ship LNG (liquefied natural gas); others are sea and land-based pipelines. Both options are under study. The results of these studies should be with us in coming months. I hope the best option will be chosen as soon as possible.

The Indo-Iranian pipeline will be very strategic since it will have a positive impact on the whole region. I hope the pipeline will help promote peace and security in the region by itself; that is why I have called it the peace pipeline.

With the changed situation in Afghanistan don't you think a natural gas pipeline from Central Asia to India through Afghanistan and Pakistan is back in competition with the Iranian project?

I don't think so. In terms of feasibility and market potential, it has to be calculated which of the two projects is more viable. But I don't think that the proposed pipeline through Afghanistan can compete with the one from Iran to India.

The relations between Iran and the United States seem to have moved back to square one after the interesting cooperation between the two in Afghanistan!

It is true that on Afghanistan we had some cooperation with the U.S. for the sake of peace and security... We have continued this within the framework of the process in Afghanistan... but we do not have any direct talks with Americans on other matters, including the relations between Iran and the U.S. Everyone was shocked in Iran and outside on how the Americans changed their tone and attitude toward Teheran after so much cooperation we had in Afghanistan.

What are the prospects for talks between U.S. and Iran?

We always said we are ready to engage in dialogue provided it is based on mutual respect; it is not the case right now because Americans have used the tone of intimidation and insult against Iran. It is impossible to talk to each other in such an atmosphere...

I believe steps have to be taken by the U.S. administration to prove that they are sincere and want to have relations on an equal footing... So it all depends on Washington.

Your assessment of the current tensions between India and Pakistan.

We are very concerned about the recent developments, but I hope these will be defused as soon as possible. Of course, the present situation cannot continue over the long term. It is in the interest of both nations to de-escalate tension and engage in dialogue to find political ways on how to solve their problems.

India wants an end to terrorism before talks can start.

I believe the best means to defuse the situation is to establish a dialogue as soon as possible. It is through such a dialogue that both sides can decide on how to move forward and take steps that can defuse the tension. We should encourage both sides to talk to each other as soon as possible.

India says it is ready to talk if cross-border terrorism comes to an end.

This is a vicious circle; somehow this has to be broken. It needs courage and confidence and I am sure both countries and their leaders are prudent enough to show their wisdom to engage in dialogue instead of showing military muscle.

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