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Lok Sabha
To meet the large deficit between demand and supply of natural gas in the country, as projected in Hydrocarbon Vision-2025, and for enhancing the energy security of the country in keeping with the provisions of the Energy Security Section of the National Common Minimum Programme, a trans-national onland pipeline from Iran to India transiting through Pakistan is one of the viable options. The matter was recently discussed at the highest level between the two countries and it was decided to pursue the Iran-India natural gas pipeline via Pakistan in the context of overall bilateral trade and economic cooperation between the two countries. The discussions in this regard are continuing. This project would basically be a commercial project supported by appropriate guarantees for security of supplies. A meeting of the Petroleum/Gas Ministers of the two countries is envisaged in this regard. The Indian Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas held a conversation without commitment in Tehran with his Iranian counterpart on 5-6th December 2004. The issue was also touched upon during the Minister’s call on the Prime Minister of Pakistan on 24.11.2004.
Giving above information in a written reply in the Lok Sabha today, Shri Mani Shankar Aiyar, Minister of Petroleum & Natural Gas added that as the proposal is at a preliminary stage, these have not been worked out.
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