India, Pakistan to discuss $3.5b pipeline

Mon, 06 Sep 2004, 00:00 WIB | Source: AFP

NEW DELHI: India and Pakistan will discuss the safety of a
proposed US$3.5 billion pipeline designed to transfer gas from
Iran to India through Pakistan, officials said on Wednesday.

Indian Oil Minister Mani Shankar Aiyar will meet Pakistani
Foreign Minister Khursheed Mehmood Kasuri over lunch on Monday
during his three-day visit to New Delhi.

"If our security concerns are adequately addressed, this
project could turn out to be the economic bedrock which could
buttress many more economic cooperation proposals," said an
Indian foreign ministry official.

"The economic gains for Pakistan estimated at US$600 to $800
million annually in transit fee alone are a reasonable guarantee
against sabotage," the official added. --AFP

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