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The Minister for Petroleum & Natural Gas Shri Mani Shankar Aiyar, who arrived in Islamabad this morning from Lahore, had a one to one meeting with his Pakistani counterpart Mr. Amanullah Khan Jadoon at his office in Islamabad. During the hour long meeting the two leaders discussed various aspects of cooperation between India and Pakistan on matters relating to hydrocarbon sector including import of natural gas from Iran and Turkmenistan through a transnational pipeline.
Later, the matter was discussed in detail at the delegation level meeting of the two countries which began in the afternoon with Shri Aiyar and Mr. Jadoon leading their respective delegations. The discussions began in an atmosphere positive thinking and mutual cooperation.
After the first session of the delegation level talks Shri Aiyar told that a presentation was made by the Chairman of GAIL during the meeting elaborating the potential of the proposed gas pipeline and the projected natural gas requirements of India. The possibilities of export of diesel and petrochemicals from India to Pakistan also figured in the talks. The Pakistani side will make a presentation on their Natural gas economy tomorrow in the second round of the talks. Shri Aiyar extended an invitation to Mr. Jadoon to visit India which was accepted by him.
Shri Aiyar entered Pakistan yesterday by road crossing Wagah border on foot. He was extended a warm reception at Lahore by the South Asia Free Media Association (SAFMA). He was also extended a nostalgic reception by the residents of the Laxmi Mansion colony at Lahore, which is the birth place of Shri Aiyar.
A high level delegation comprising the Petroleum Secretary Shri S.C. Trapathi, CMDs of India Oil Corporation & of the Gail India Ltd. and other senior officers of the Ministry is accompanying Shri Aiyar. Shri Aiyar will also be calling on the Prime Minister of Pakistan, Minister of Commerce and Foreign Minister of Pakistan tomorrow.
SS/NSR RCJ-Islamabad /MSA
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