NEW DELHI, Feb 12: A senior Iranian official has said that China is keen to join the Iran-Pakistan-India gas pipeline and if New Delhi does not take a decision soon then Beijing would replace New Delhi in the deal.

Iran’s foreign ministry spokesperson Mohammad Ali Hosseini, who is on a visit to New Delhi, “said in an unambiguous statement that there is limited time left for India to take a decision on the gas pipeline,” according to rediff.com web news agency.

Mr Hosseini said: “Expedite the decision-making process to finalise the gas deal. We don’t have a lot of time.”

Asked how long Iran was ready to wait for India to take a decision on the gas pipeline, Mr Hosseini was quoted as saying: “There is a hope to expedite the process by all three countries...China is also applying pressure and wants to join the project.”

Opinion

Editorial

Taliban divisions
Updated 24 Feb, 2025

Taliban divisions

The only workable solution lies in Mullah Akhundzada loosening his iron grip on the country.
Oblivious to drought
24 Feb, 2025

Oblivious to drought

PAKISTAN faces two types of drought: one caused by dry weather or lower-than-normal rainfall, and the other ...
Digital children
24 Feb, 2025

Digital children

AS most parents with young children will agree, the easiest way to pacify a bawling child is to hand them a...
The long wait
Updated 23 Feb, 2025

The long wait

Pakistan’s fundamental problem is that two of its most important leaders still cannot get over themselves.
Defending freedom
23 Feb, 2025

Defending freedom

THERE was no other choice. Despite assurances of consultations with key stakeholders, the government passed the Peca...
Anti-Muslim crimes
23 Feb, 2025

Anti-Muslim crimes

THE surge in Islamophobic assaults in the UK, as reported by the anti-hate crime charity Tell MAMA, is a stark...