India, Iran talks set for IPI

TEHRAN, Aug. 17 (UPI) -- A delegation from India plans to visit Tehran to discuss moving forward with the Iran-Pakistan-India natural gas pipeline in September, officials in Tehran say.

Islamabad and Tehran in June signed a bilateral deal for the proposed 1,724-mile IPI natural gas pipeline.

Insecurity along the intended route through Pakistan, pricing terms and an uncertain role for India continue to weigh on project developments.

Indian Petroleum Minister Murli Deora said in July that the IPI pipeline is a national interest, however.

Iranian Deputy foreign Minister Mohammad Mehdi Akhundzadeh said Tehran expects to host a delegation from New Delhi in September, the Fars news agency reports.

"The visit will likely take place within one month followed by a visit to Tehran by the Indian prime minister," he said.

Pakistan receives 750 million cubic feet per day from the South Pars gas field in Iran to generate electricity under the terms of a 25-year deal. Akhundzadeh added, however, that the 1.9 trillion cubic feet of gas capacity for IPI was adequate for regional energy demands.

"The capacity of the pipeline is so high that it can meet the needs of both India and Pakistan," he said.