Iran Urges India to Expedite Decision on Iran-Pakistan-India Pipeline

Iran Deputy Foreign Minister for Asia, Oceania and Commonwealth (Central Asia) Affairs Seyed Abbas Araqchi asked New Delhi to make a final decision about joining the Iran-Pakistan-India (IPI) gas pipeline project.

He said that IPI gas pipeline project was going on and was open to all the countries of the region to make use of it, Fras News Agency reported.

"It is up to India to make up its mind and join the project we believe would work in India's interest. We and Pakistan are working on it and we are serious about it. Our part is almost finished and now we are helping Pakistan in finishing their part as well. Then I think the pipeline would have capacity for the whole region," he said.

In August energy officials of Iran, Pakistan and India met in Islamabad to discuss the project.

India has security concerns as the proposed pipeline passes through the volatile regions of Pakistan's Baluchistan province. The talks have also deadlocked over transport and transit fees with Pakistan.