NEW DELHI, Sept 3: Pakistan, India and Iran are expected to sign a pact in December, which will enable them to go ahead with the proposed $7.4 billion pipeline project to supply natural gas from Iran to Pakistan and India, the Press Trust of India said on Saturday.

“If all goes well, there can be a tripartite meeting of the concerned ministers to finalize a framework agreement by Dec 31,” Indian Foreign Minister Kunwar Natwar Singh was quoted as saying in Tehran.

He was speaking after holding talks with his Iranian counterpart Manouchehr Mottaki.

The news agency said Tehran had agreed to supply five million tons of liquid natural gas to India annually. India had asked for 7.5 million tons of gas supply.

APP adds: An Indian energy sector delegation will visit Pakistan next week to proceed with dialogue on the execution of the project.

The Prime Minister’s Adviser on Energy Mukhtar Ahmad said in a meeting with members of the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry in Karachi that the two sides would discuss pre- and post-execution issues relating to the project.

He said Iran would forward its proposals regarding terms of reference for the project next month.