Thursday, Feb 10, 2005
Thursday, Feb 10, 2005 |
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By Our Special Correspondent
NEW DELHI, FEB. 9. The Union Cabinet today authorised the Petroleum Ministry to hold negotiations with Pakistan, Bangladesh, Iran and Myanmar on the gas pipeline project. The Petroleum Minister, Mani Shankar Aiyar, disclosing this here today, said that the "broad approach" to the talks had been approved. India is seeking natural gas from Iran, Myanmar and Turkmenistan. The pipelines are envisaged from Iran via Pakistan and from Myanmar via Bangladesh and the proposed supplies from Turkmenistan would come through Afghanistan and Pakistan. Mr. Aiyar said talks have begun with Iran and detailed discussions would begin on Monday when the Iranian delegation arrives. The dates for further talks with the Pakistan Oil Minister were yet to be decided. The techno-commercial group of India, Myanmar and Bangladesh would meet on February 17 and 18.
Report to be studied
On the proposal of a pipeline from Turkmenistan, Mr. Aiyar said that no steps had been taken till now. The Government would study the report of the Asian Development Bank on the project. But the initial estimates suggesting that 60 million standard cubic metres a day gas would be available from Iran may be increased. Pakistan would require 50 million standard cubic metres a day from the Iranian pipeline. Mr. Aiyar said India would need 400 billion standard cubic metres a day by 2025, of which half would have to come from international sources. The indigenous availability was only about 100 billion standard cubic metres a day now and it may only double in the next 20 years. Besides, the country's reliance on imported crude oil was increasing with 85 per cent of consumption coming from abroad by 2025. As energy security was a key component of the national common minimum programme, these steps would go a long way in enhancing it, Mr. Aiyar said. The Cabinet also decided to create a post of Additional Secretary (International Operations) in the Petroleum Ministry. Talmiz Ahmed, an IFS officer, will occupy the post.
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