ISLAMABAD, April 26: Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s stopovers in Islamabad and New Delhi will focus on helping both governments overcome glitches in the Iran-Pakistan-India gas pipeline project and seek an early signing of the agreement, according to Iranian diplomats.

The Iranian president, they said, would make a four-hour stopover in Islamabad on Monday while flying to Sri Lanka on a two-day state visit. He would pause for an equal duration in New Delhi on his way back to Tehran.

Iran, the source said, was determined to help Pakistan and India overcome their differences.

Speaking at a press briefing on Saturday, Iran’s Ambassador to Pakistan Masha’allah Shakeri said: “The IPI (pipeline project) is on the agenda of talks during Mr Ahamdinejad’s visit.”

The Iranian president, he said, would meet President Pervez Musharraf and Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani during his brief stay.

Referring to China’s inclusion in the IPI project, he said the project was primarily designed for three countries, adding that although Iran supported the inclusion of a fourth country, it should be looked into as a separate project.

“The involvement of multiple players will contribute to this project’s viability and Iran supports regional integration.”

BUS SERVICE: Ambassador Shakeri said the delay in the start of the bus service between Quetta and Mashhad was on the part of Pakistan. “Iran is fully prepared to launch the service.”

Pakistan had announced that the service would start from April 22, but it could not take off as scheduled. No new dates were announced.

APP adds: The Iranian president will be leading a delegation, including ministers for foreign affairs, commerce and petroleum and energy and the head of Iran’s Exim Bank. President Ahmedinejad is expected to discuss regional issues, problems faced by the Muslim world and trilateral cooperation between Iran, Pakistan and Afghanistan with a view to bring peace and stability to the region.

Ambassador Shakeri praised Pakistan’s stance on Iran’s peaceful nuclear programme