Islamabad: Terming the IPI gas project as the 'peace pipeline,' Iran's President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has said that it would strengthen ties among the countries and decrease tension between India and Pakistan.

At a meeting with Pakistan Foreign Minister Khurshid Mahmud Kasuri in Kermanshah in western Iran on Wednesday, Ahmadinejad said "construction of a natural gas pipeline from Iran to India through Pakistan would not only lead to strengthening friendly ties among our three countries, but also decrease tensions in the entire region".

Construction of the "peace pipeline" would lead to a lowering of tensions between India and Pakistan, which "is one of the reasons why Iran is looking for a trilateral agreement on the issue," he was quoted as saying by the daily 'Dawn'.

Stressing that regional countries have shared destinies and interests, "which is a good reason for maintaining friendly attitude with one another," the Iranian leader said strengthening friendly ties with Pakistan and Afghanistan will ensure peace and security in the region.

The regional countries are faced with many shared threats and hazards that can be warded off through stronger consultations among the leaders and top officials, he said.

Kasuri said Islamabad attached "great importance" to its ties with Tehran.

Pakistan was determined to finalise the gas pipeline contract with Iran and India.

"We will under no circumstances permit other states, particularly outsider powers, to influence Tehran-Islamabad ties," he said.

On Afghanistan, Kasuri said, "Existence of a strong and united Afghanistan is to the benefit of Pakistan and we support securing Afghan territorial integrity and reconstruction movement".