Friday, December 16 2005 15:05 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: India and Pakistan today (Dec 16, 2005) began discussing nitty-gritties of the $7 billion Iran-Pakistan-India gas pipeline in order to evolve a project structure for its implementation and operation.

Pakistan is expected to give its views on the project structure suggested by India, at the Third meeting of the Indo-Pak Joint Working Group on the pipeline that began here this morning.

"There will be discussions on the subject with a view to finalise the project structure," an official said.

The Indian side is being led by Petroleum Secretary S C Tripathi and his Pakistani counterpart Ahmad Waqar is representing Islamabad. Mukhtar Ahmed, Energy Advisor to Pakistan Prime Minister, is also participating in the meeting.

Islamabad will also make clear, its stand on participation of Indian companies in the project and present its views on draft Framework Agreement suggested by Indian side in October.

India will share its views on transit fee payable to Pakistan and solicit Islamabad's opinion on various pipeline route options. The Indian side would also share views of their technical consultant on pre-feasibility of the project.

Pakistani side would share views on Transportation Tariff, the official said, adding the two-day meet would also discuss system configuration, gas quantity and build-up and pipeline and gas insurance.

Tomorrow, the two sides would discuss the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan pipeline project and finalise schedule for visit of Pakistan's Minister of Petroleum and Natural Resources to India. It may also discuss the Indian Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister's visit to Pakistan and the signing schedule of the framework agreement.