NEW DELHI, April 4 (UPI) -- India and Pakistan on Wednesday discussed the proposed gas pipeline from Iran that has been stalled over pricing issues.
Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and his Pakistani counterpart, Shaukat Aziz, said they were serious about pursuing talks on the pipeline issue until its successful completion.
"We agreed that both Pakistan and India will pursue the Iran-Pakistan-India gas pipeline, because this is in the interest of all three countries," Aziz told reporters after the meeting. "The energy needs of South Asia, India and Pakistan to be specific, are substantial. And we agreed in principle this morning that this project should move speedily ahead."
The $7 billion pipeline would run from Iran to India via Pakistan. The South Asian rivals both have rapidly growing economies and need the energy to fuel economic growth. The United States opposes the deal because it says it will embolden Iran, which is facing international scrutiny for its nuclear program.
The IPI pipeline, as it is known, also faces other hurdles, including financing. It is unclear if the political situation in the region is stable enough for the pipeline to receive funding from international institutions.
The sides, however, have been unable to come to an understanding on the price of Iranian gas.
