New Delhi considers IPI talks

NEW DELHI, Aug. 19 (UPI) -- New Delhi has extended an invitation to the Iranian foreign minister to visit India for talks that may include the Iran-Pakistan-India pipeline, sources say.

Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki may visit New Delhi as early as September as Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh faces accusations of bias toward the United States.

Officials who spoke to the Times of India on condition of anonymity say the meeting is likely to include discussions on the long-delayed IPI pipeline.

Islamabad and Tehran moved on a bilateral agreement in June that secures 750 million cubic feet per day for Pakistan through the proposed 1,724-mile pipeline from the South Pars gas field in Iran.

Insecurity along the intended route through Pakistan, pricing terms and an uncertain role for India continue to weigh on project developments. Iran and Pakistan have left the door open for India to join the project at a later date, however, as Indian Petroleum Minister Murli Deora expressed interest in IPI.

Though the pipeline will feature in the September talks, the Times says New Delhi is not expected to make any firm pledges on the project.

Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Mohammad Mehdi Akhundzadeh said Tehran expects to host a delegation from New Delhi in September.