Tuesday, April 18 2006 15:52 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Thiruvananthapuram: Minister of State for External Affairs E Ahamed today (Apr 18, 2006) said India would go ahead with the pipeline project with Pakistan.

Preliminary discussions with regard to implementation of Iran-Pakistan-India pipeline project have been held, Ahamed said while participating in the 'Janavidhi-2006' programme organised by Kesari Memorial Journalists Trust here.

"India and Iran enjoy traditionally friendly relations We intend to further strengthen and expand our multi-faceted ties," he said.

On Iran's nuclear issue, Ahamed said it has been India's consistent stance that the issue should be resolved in a transparent manner through dialogue process.

"India has consistently stated that all sides must work to find a diplomatic solution and that confrontation should be avoided at all costs," he said.

Ahamed, who was here to campaign for UDF candidates for assembly polls, said his party IUML, always stood against all kinds of extremism.

To a question on the support extended by Jamait-e-islami and Abul Nazer Madhani's PDP to opposition LDF, Ahamed said the move was not going to affect the prospects of the UDF.

Ahamed also rejected the allegation that IUML had now become a party of rich people.

"For sustainable development, UDF has to return to power in Kerala," he said.