Tuesday, July 12 2005 19:07 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: India and Pakistan today (July 12, 2005) reported good progress in talks on finalising framework and a timetable for building the $4.16 billion Iran-Pakistan-India gas pipeline.

"A range of issues was discussed, including technical, commercial, financial and legal. All sets of issues were discussed in an open and candid manner. We have some understanding on most of the issues," Pakistan's Petroleum Secretary Ahmed Waqar told reporters at the end of first day of talks with India.

India's Petroleum Secretary S B Tripathy made a detailed presentation on the issues concerning the project.

"Principles have been laid down. Good progress has been made and we are very satisfied," Waqar said, adding the talks will continue tomorrow (July 13, 2005) at the end of which a joint statement would be issued.

Waqar said the Islamabad meeting between Mani Shankar Aiyar and his Pakistani counterpart Amanullah Khan Jadoon was "more of broad indication of seriousness of parties concerned to take talks forward.

This Joint Working Group will lay down some milestones, timeliness and concrete steps to be taken for achieving the project."