The Hindu Business Line : Pipeline plan — Pakistan will address security concerns: Aiyar

THE Union Petroleum Minister, Mr Mani Shankar Aiyar, who arrived here on Saturday for talks with Pakistani officials on the multi-billion Iran-Pakistan-India gas pipeline, said Pakistan has promised to address India's concerns about the project security.

"I will discuss the feasibility and technical aspects of the project,'' Mr Aiyar told reporters after he crossed into Pakistani territory at Wagah border.

"We will not come under the pressure of any country and a decision will be made in the interest of our people,'' the Minister said, when his attention was drawn to the US opposition to the project.

The US Secretary of State, Ms Condoleezza Rice, had opposed the $4.5-billion Iran-Pakistan-India gas project during her recent visit to the region, asking Pakistan and India to go for alternate energy options.

He said during his meeting with the Pakistan Commerce Minister, Mr Hamayun Khan, he will request to remove import of diesel and petrol from the negative list. "We are ready to provide oil to Pakistan on cheaper rate,'' he said.

Mr Aiyar will arrive in Islamabad on Sunday and will meet his Pakistani counterpart, Mr Amanullah Khan Jadoon, on the same day, according to an official of the Petroleum Ministry.

The two sides will hold formal talks on Monday, he said.

Mr Aiyar is likely to call on the President, General Pervez Musharraf, and the Prime Minister, Mr Shaukat Aziz, on Tuesday.

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