The Hindu Business Line : LNG deal still in force: Iran

THE $21-billion agreement between Iran and India for the export of five million tonnes of liquefied natural gas is "still in force and passing through ... [its] normal process," the Iranian Embassy in New Delhi stated in a press release on Wednesday.

The embassy was reacting to Indian media reports on the possibility of the LNG export deal and the gas pipeline project being called off. The Iranian Embassy quoted Mr Ali Larijani, Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council, as saying the resolution passed by the Board of Governors of the International Atomic Energy Agency "lacks legal foundation and Iran expects the member states to review it." As for India's vote for the resolution, Mr Larijani added: "We did not expect India to do so. [But] I believe the friends should not be judged by a single action. Iran enjoys friendly relations with India."

Earlier, the Indian External Affairs Ministry spokesperson confirmed that "we are aware of the remarks made by the Iranian Ambassador to our Ambassador in Vienna," but added that in interactions between the Foreign Secretary and the Iranian Ambassador in New Delhi, "we have been given no indication of Iran's intentions to review its longstanding and extensive cooperation with India."

The official spokesperson's statement related to an exclusive report published in The Hindu on a September 24 communication from Vienna by the Indian Ambassador on Iran's decision to call off the LNG export deal, in the wake of India's vote at the International Atomic Energy Agency Board of Governors meeting.

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