CANCUN, Mexico, March 31 (UPI) -- Talks among India, Pakistan and Iran are proposed for May to breathe new life into plans for a natural gas pipeline, Indian officials said in Mexico.
Iran and Pakistan signed off on a project March 16 to move gas from the South Pars complex in the Persian Gulf to energy-starved Pakistan. The project was envisioned in the 1990s and included India in its original plans.
New Delhi dragged its feet on the project because of concerns over price, gas custody and security along the intended route in Pakistan. Talks with Washington on a civilian nuclear energy deal factored in for New Delhi as well.
Indian Energy Minister Murli Deora told reporters at an international energy summit under way in Mexico that there was renewed interest in the pipeline, Indian newspaper The Hindu reports.
"We have proposed trilateral talks in Tehran in May and are now waiting for a response from Iran," he said. "We are going to approach the issue with an open mind."
India has the second-fastest growing economy in Asia. Deora said last week that natural gas was the best choice for his country's booming economy.
Washington favors an alternative pipeline to move natural gas from Turkmenistan.
