Date:20/06/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/06/20/stories/2006062019241200.htm

National

Deora holds talks with Iran President

Special Correspondent

New Delhi: In the first high-level interaction with Iran President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad since he assumed office, Petroleum Minister Murli Deora held discussions with him at Shanghai on the Iran-Pakistan-India gas pipeline project and the import of liquefied natural gas (LNG). Mr. Deora urged him to expedite the LNG supply agreement inked between the two countries at Teheran in June 2005.

According to an official release, the meeting was held on the sidelines of the recently concluded Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) conference.

Mr. Deora carried forward dialogue on the gas pipeline project and LNG supply with Iran Oil Minister Kazem Vaziri Hamaneh too.

Gas pipeline details

Reiterating India's commitment to the pipeline project, he said the three countries were discussing details of the project structure, route, gas pricing and framework agreement on a fast-track basis.

A secretary-level meeting of the three countries was recently held on the project in Islamabad after the oil ministers of Iran, India and Pakistan informally discussed it on the sidelines of an energy meet in Doha in April. The three oil ministers would meet again after the details were worked out at the secretary-level talks, the release added.