To check slips, India, Pak set up JWG on pipeline

In a boost to the Iran pipeline project, India and Pakistan have set up a Joint Working Group JWG to move the project forward.8216;8216;...

In a boost to the Iran pipeline project, India and Pakistan have set up a Joint Working Group JWG to move the project forward.

8216;8216;We would like to get this project to some significant ground by the end of this year,8217;8217; said Petroleum Minister Mani Shankar Aiyar as Pakistan8217;s National Assembly began to hear the budget.

While Aiyar8217;s six-month timeline takes note of Pakistan8217;s desire to take a final decision on the Indo-Iran pipeline by the year-end, the JWG marks the first time the two countries will engage on meeting their long-term energy requirements.

In a statement, Pakistan Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz 8212; whom Aiyar met earlier in the day 8212; said: 8216;8216;Pakistan gives top priority to the overland gas pipeline for the supply of gas to Pakistan from Iran and Turkmenistan and to carry it forward to India, not only to meet its own energy requirements, but also to create linkages and interdependencies for establishing an enduring relationship between the two countries.8217;8217;

It is learnt that Pakistan insisted the JWG be headed by the two countries8217; Petroleum Secretaries. It will clarify positions on technical, commercial and legal issues relating to the pipeline. A formal note on its structure will be issued on Tuesday.

Aiyar promises fast negotiations 8212; starting with an early visit of his counterpart Amanullah Khan Jadoon to India at the end of August.

The shadow of US reservations on the Iran pipeline was evident in the minister8217;s insistence that the various pipeline proposals be looked at as 8216;8216;not mutually exclusive, but additions, that may require phasing to meet growing energy requirements.8217;8217; This bilateral engagement will run parallel to India8217;s talks with Iran on the issue.

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On Sunday, Aiyar had said India is now also willing to be included in the process behind the other pipeline option 8212; Turkmenistan via Afghanistan and Pakistan also known as TAP.

Today, he added that following his meet with Aziz, appropriate steps are to be taken to get India on board. An invitation is expected from the Asian Development Bank for India to join the next Steering Committee meeting. 8216;8216;I hope to be there to signal India8217;s intent to convert TAP to TAPI,8217;8217; he said.

Regarding US pressure, he said: 8216;8216;The US is sensitive about our requirements.8217;8217; Both projects were feasible.

There is a third. Pakistan is looking at a sub-sea pipeline from Qatar. India expressed its 8216;8216;deep interest8217;8217; in the technology being considered.