India Optimistic Gas Deal With Iran Moving Forward / VOA

[TexasLawyer]

India Optimistic Gas Deal With Iran Moving Forward
By Steve Herman
New Delhi
08 February 2007

A deal that has been in the works for years to send natural gas from Iran to India through Pakistan is moving forward, with an agreement anticipated within months. However, some early supporters are questioning whether the time has passed for the proposed pipeline, which also faces opposition from the United States. VOA's Steve Herman in New Delhi reports.

Indian officials say Iran has offered to lower prices by 30 percent in an attempt to conclude a deal to send Iranian liquefied natural gas to India via Pakistan.

Indian External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee discussed the $7 billion project with Iranian officials in Tehran during a two-day visit this week.

Iran has offered to hold a summit for heads of governments of the three countries to sign the deal, which would send 70 million cubic meters of gas a year to India. Indian officials have said this week that an agreement could be expected by June.

<snip>

edited to add important detail from article: "Under U.S. law, Washington is required to penalize any foreign company investing more than $40 million in Iran's energy sector."



http://www.voanews.com/english/2007-02-08-voa44.cfm

[oblivious]

1. I notice India's ext. affairs minister has praised Iran as "a factor of stability in the region."

Pranab lays stress on Iran-IAEA cooperation
Feb 08, 2007

...On the political front, Mr. Mukherjee (Indian External Affairs Minister) praised Iran as a "factor of stability in the region" and thanked it for the cooperation extended to Indian assistance projects in Afghanistan.

http://www.hindu.com/2007/02/08/stories/2007020819071400.htm