Iran, India may Soon Agree Terms for IPI Pipeline

TEHRAN (FNA) Iran, holder of the world’s second- largest gas reserves, may finalize a gas export pipeline agreement with India “within a few weeks,” the Iranian Oil Ministry’s press agency Shana reported, citing Iran’s Minister of Economic Affairs and Finance.

The $7.4 billion pipeline will take Iranian gas to India and Pakistan to meet the two countries’ growing energy needs. India has been absent from recent discussions, indicating that it wants pending transit issues with Pakistan resolved before the resumption of trilateral negotiations.

Iran’s Economic Affairs Minister Davoud Danesh Jafari said price disputes between Iran and India, and transit fees between India and Pakistan would soon be resolved, Shana reported. India’s Oil Minister Murli Deora is expected to visit Iran in the coming weeks.