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India and Pakistan have decided to set up a Joint Working Group to intensify interaction between the two countries regarding the technical, commercial, legal and other related aspects with regard to the proposed gas pipeline project from Iran through Pakistan to India. This was disclosed by the Minister of Petroleum & Natural Gas, Shri Mani Shankar Aiyar while briefing the press after concluding session of the two-day delegation level talks between the two countries at Islamabad today.
Earlier, Shri Aiyar called on the Prime Minister of Pakistan, Mr. Shaukat Aziz. Briefing about the meeting, he said that it was very encouraging as the Prime Minister expressed a common desire to carry forward the discussions on gas pipelines through Pakistan to India. He said that Mr. Shaukat Aziz saw the gas pipeline as one of the linkages on which we could base cooperative India-Pakistan relations. He described them as essential, analysed their advantages and spoke of the need to adopt the best practices to build world class gas pipelines feeding our growing economies.
Shri Aiyar emphasized that India sees various pipelines and sources of supply as necessary additions rather than alternatives. He also conveyed to Prime Minister, India’s need and desire to proceed rapidly to ensure gas supplies. There was an agreement to jointly undertake detailed examination of technical aspects of these pipelines so as to firm up project parameters for consideration by the two Ministers of Petroleum, the Minister said.
The modalities and details of the Joint Working Group are being worked out. A Joint Communiqué is expected to be issued tomorrow on the conclusion of the Islamabad visit of Shri Aiyar.
The idea of setting up the Joint Working Group is to work out the modalities of the project in a manner so as to avail of the best available expertise in the world in the technical, financial, managerial, legal, and other implementation aspects of the gas pipeline project.
The Minister said that India is keen that the pipeline project takes off the ground by the end of this year. The two Petroleum Ministers are expected to exchange visits in the next six months to review the progress made by the Joint Working Group. The Pakistani Petroleum Minister, Mr. Amanullah Khan Jadoon is expected to visit New Delhi during July-August this year at the invitation of Shri Aiyar.
AK/RCJ- Islamabad
TFK/NSR
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