By an OGJ correspondent
KARACHI, Apr. 30 -- Iran and Pakistan have restarted talks on the design and construction of the 2,700-km Iran-Pakistan-India (IPI) natural gas pipeline. India, which earlier had reservations about the project, is showing interest as well in becoming a project stakeholder.
The proposed line, which initially would transport 600 million cu m/day of gas, is scheduled for completion in 2011.
Following a recent visit of Indian Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Murli Deora, a delegation from Iran, led by President Mahmoud Ahamdinejad, visited Pakistan to discuss the project. Ahamdinejad met on Apr. 28 with Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf and exchanged views on bilateral matters, including the IPI pipeline project.
India welcomed the Iranian president's visit and expressed hope that it would advance the project.
According to Deora, the $7.4 billion IPI pipeline deal would be "clinched soon." He said India and Pakistan were near reaching a general agreement on the transit fee. Deora added that Ahmedinejad's visit would be utilized to pave the way for trilateral talks on the deal.
