Date:12/03/2005 URL: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2005/03/12/stories/2005031201920700.htm

Back `Govt has noted US concern over investment in Iran'

Our Bureau

New Delhi , March 11

THE Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister, Mr Mani Shankar Aiyar, has said that India had noted the concerns expressed by the US on its plans to invest in oil and gas fields in Iran and build a pipeline to transport natural gas from that country.

``We have noted what the US concerns are,'' Mr Aiyar said at the sidelines of a conference organised by Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), Commonwealth Business Council (CBC), and Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP). Mr Aiyar was responding to a media report on the meeting of the US Ambassador to India, Mr David Mulford, with him. The US had expressed ``serious concerns'' about India's investment plans in Iran.

Further, the Minister also talked about his forthcoming four-day visit to Saudi Arabia from March 28 to boost bilateral ties between the two countries in the energy sector.