Date:04/05/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/05/04/stories/2007050404651600.htm

National

Murli Deora: no U.S. pressure

Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI: There was no question of the United States or any other country pressuring India on the proposed Iran-Pakistan-India gas pipeline project, the Lok Sabha was informed on Thursday.

"There is no question of the U.S. or any other country interfering in India's internal affairs. I can assure the House there is no such fear and India cannot be pressured to pull out from holding discussions on the project," Union Petroleum Minister Murli Deora said during question hour.

Denying that U.S. leaders such as Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice had put pressure on India, he said the officials only made enquiries.

Asked about the project's security in Pakistan, he said Pakistan Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz, during his recent visit to India, "guaranteed that there will be no problems to the project."

On the possibility of exploring an alternate route for transport of natural gas, he said the pipeline from Pakistan was the best route.