Tuesday, December 6 2005 10:29 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: Expressing confidence that the proposed India-Pakistan-Iran gas pipeline will fructify, Petroleum and Natural Gas minister Mani Shankar Aiyar yesterday (Dec 5,2005) said Pakistan's burgeoning energy need would act as a catalyst to make the project a success.

"Pakistan's growing energy demand will prove as the single most guarantee for the success of the IPI gas pipeline project," Aiyar said while giving a lecture on India's Long Term Hydrocarbon Strategy For Foreign Policy and National Security.

He said Pakistan was fast slipping into energy crisis with their coal-based energy output witnessing steep decline.

"By 2010, they will start importing natural gas and by 2025, their import of natural gas would exceed that of India. They would be importing 300 million standard cubic feet of gas against India's 200 million standard cubic feet," the Petroleum minister said.

The neighbouring country cannot source gas from countries other than Iran and Central Asia while India would have a lot of options to meet its energy requirement, Aiyar said.

The Petroleum Minister said, "My ministry is exploring various options for sourcing energy in 13 countries. We could find ourselves in 50 more countries in next five to seven years time," in search of energy.

Returning to IPI gas pipeline project, he said the safety commitments for gas project were being minutely discussed and given near final shape.