NEW DELHI, Feb 5: India is unlikely to attend a meeting called by Iran next week to finalise the Iran-Pakistan-India gas pipeline as it would first like to settle a transit fee issue with Islamabad, reports said here on Tuesday.

Press Trust of India said Petroleum Minister Murli Deora was unlikely to visit Tehran on Feb 12-13 for the tri-lateral meeting. Mr Deora would instead make a visit to Islamabad sometime after Feb 18 general elections to settle the transit issue. Pakistani officials in Delhi said on Tuesday a final word on Mr Deora’s visit to Islamabadwas expected on Wednesday.

New Delhi has since July 2007 not attended the trilateral meeting on the pipeline project pending resolution of the transit issue with Pakistan. India is also under considerable pressure from the United States to abandon the project.

While India and Pakistan are in agreement with the charge for transporting the gas through a 1,035-km pipeline length in Pakistan, differences continue on the issue of payment of a separate transit fee to Islamabad for use of its territory for passage of the fuel.

Press Trust of India said while the price of gas has been agreed upon by the three nations, Iran’s demand for revision every five years has to be settled for signing of any $7 billion-plus deal.

Opinion

Editorial

The challenge before banks
27 Feb, 2025

The challenge before banks

The way we do banking today will not exist in next 10 years, only those will survive who are capable of adopting new technologies.
Torkham tension
27 Feb, 2025

Torkham tension

CONTROVERSY over demarcation of the common frontier is one of the key obstacles standing in the way of better...
Weak link
27 Feb, 2025

Weak link

KARACHI — economic powerhouse, cultural melting pot, and bustling metropolis of over 20m souls. There is much that...
Forgotten inmates
Updated 26 Feb, 2025

Forgotten inmates

Diversion programmes are needed for minor offences and people with psychosocial disabilities should receive treatment rather than be jailed.
Controlling crypto
26 Feb, 2025

Controlling crypto

THOUGH Pakistan’s official position on cryptocurrencies has evolved considerably over the years, there still seems...
Deadly roads
26 Feb, 2025

Deadly roads

DRIVING in Karachi can be hazardous, with chaos on the roads, and very little by way of following rules and...