Wednesday, February 8 2006 15:33 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: Petroleum Minister Murli Deora today (Feb 8,2006) reaffirmed New Delhi's commitment to the over 7-billion dollar Iran-Pakistan-India gas pipeline, saying it will further the dialogue on the project when Pakistan's Oil Minister visits India next week.

"We are committed to making the project happen. We need the gas from Iran (to meet energy needs of the growing economy) and will continue to puruse the pipeline project," he told reporters here.

He said he would further the dialogue initiated by his predecessor Mani Shankar Aiyar towards realising the project, which is proposed to transport 90 million standard cubic meters per day of gas from Iran's South Pars field to India from 2009-10. This quantity is almost equal to the amount of natural gas available in the country at present.

"Pakistan's Oil Minister is visiting us on February 17. I will welcome him," he said, adding that discussions during the visit would focus on the IPI pipeline project.

The agenda of the talks would be project structure, framework agreement, technical and legal issues and political insurance of the pipeline, which is also to supply 60 mmscmd of gas to Pakistan.

"We are sincere and keen that the project comes through. There are hurdles but we are committed," Deora said.

Asked about the status of the 22-billion dollar deal with Iran to import 5 million tonnes of LNG a year for 25 years beginning 2009-10, he said: "Iran is a friendly country and negotiating the terms. I hope the deal will come through."

The LNG deal inked in June 2005 is yet to be ratified by the new regime in Tehran and there are reports of National Iranain Gas Export Co (NIGEC) seeking to reopen pricing of the gas.