India, Pakistan Discuss Pipeline Projects

[HenryTo]

Speaking of competition for natural resources (although I definitely think it is a good thing that India and Pakistan are cooperating with each other):
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By ASIF SHAHZAD, Associated Press Writer

LAHORE, Pakistan - India's oil minister began a visit to Pakistan on Saturday to discuss importing natural gas from Iran and Turkmenistan via this Islamic nation.

Mani Shankar Aiyar, India's petroleum and natural gas minister, was scheduled to meet with his Pakistani counterpart, Amanullah Khan Jadoon, and other officials during his four-day visit.

"We want to discuss all technical aspects with Pakistan for importing natural gas from Iran and Turkmenistan," Aiyar said on arrival in the eastern city of Lahore.

Iran proposed the 2,775-kilometer (1,735-mile) Iran-Pakistan pipeline in 1996 to export its gas to Pakistan and to India, but the project has never gotten off the ground because of Indian concerns about its safety in rival Pakistan.

However, such fears have eased since the nuclear-armed neighbors last year embarked on peace efforts aimed at ending a long-standing territorial conflict over the Kashmir region that has sparked two wars between them.

Aiyar also shrugged off comments made two months ago by U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, who said she was concerned about India importing gas from Iran and said New Delhi should consider alternative ways to meet its energy needs.

"We will not come under the pressure of any country," said Aiyar.

Meanwhile, the 1,680-kilometer (1,044-mile) Turkmen-Afghan-Pakistan project was delayed when Afghanistan's hardline Taliban came into power in 1990s. It was revived in late 2001 when U.S forces ousted the Taliban.

Officials from Pakistan, Afghanistan and Turkmenistan have held meetings in recent months to discuss how to proceed with the projects.

Pakistan has also asked Tehran to complete the project with or without India, although it has said it would welcome India's participation and that it would ensure the pipeline's security.