Tehran calls for summit on Iran-Pakistan-India gas pipeline
February 7, After a frantic discussions with Iranian leaders, the external affairs minister Pranab Mukherjee returned to New Delhi. The key issues were discussed in the discussion. Iran asked for a summit to discuss the Iran-Pakistan-India gas pipeline.
India and Iran spoke their minds on the nuclear issue without bridging the gap in positions and perceptions. India asked Iran to implement the $22 billion liquefied natural gas pipeline deal.
Mr.Mukherjee said India wanted the IAEA to play a central role in resolving the issue by all sides. He met Iran foreign minister Monouchehr Mottaki and discussed about the dates for Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s visit to Iran. Mr.Mottaki said Iran had the legal right to pursue a peaceful civil neclear programme and any preconditions would not be accepted for talks.
Iran made it clear that Iran would like top leadership of Iran-Pakistan-India countries to discuss directly about the price differences over the gas pipeline. A Pakistan delegation will visit Iran for further discussions on the price of the gas pipeline deal, which is an issue of concern to both New Delhi and Islamabad.
Although both India and Iran took care to emphasise their excellent relations, the price negotiations for the LNG supplies for gas pipeline were also not particlularly successful. India wanted the IAEA to play a central role in resolving the nuclear issue, but this proposal did not generate much enthusiasm here in Tehran.
Mr.Mukherjee said that the IAEA should play a central role in resolving the outstanding issues. He said that a peaceful, negotiated solution would be facilitated by enhanced cooperation between Iran and the IAEA. Mr.Motraki said Iran was ready to work strengthen nuclear non-proliferation and was open to all suggestions.
