IPI pipeline project makes progress

New Delhi: The tri-nation Iran-Pakistan-India gas pipeline project is likely to see more movement now with the Iranian President, Mr Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, during his brief stop-over trip here on Tuesday, stating that “the two sides are very close to each other. We will finalise the gas pipeline soon.”

Mr Ahmadinejad met the Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh, on Tuesday. He indicated that all pending issues and agreements pertaining to the project would be finalised within 45 days and given to the leadership of the three countries. “Afterwards we will decide,” he said.

On extending the pipeline to China, Mr Ahmadinejad said, “We have received one proposal. We will evaluate it and consider its merit and evaluate all aspects of the proposal”.

Islamabad and Tehran said they had settled a host of issues over the pipeline project, which could be completed by 2012. The US had urged India this month to use Mr Ahmadinejad’s visit to encourage Iran to stop nuclear enrichment.

India had responded by stating that it did not need any guidance on its bilateral relations.

India has not been participating in the trilateral meetings on the IPI pipeline projects since mid-2007, as it wanted to resolve the bilateral issue, including transit fees with Pakistan.