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India vows to push on with Iranian gas pipeline | ASHARQ AL-AWSAT English Archive 2005 -2017
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Tehran-Energy-hungry India said on Saturday it would push on with plans to build a $7 billion gas pipeline from Iran.

Indian Foreign Ministry spokesman Navtej Sarna told reporters: &#34We have an interest in taking it forward, India needs gas.&#34

Sarna was speaking during a visit by Indian Foreign Minister Natwar Singh to Tehran, according to a report of Reuters.

India faces a natural gas deficit of 200 million cubic metres a day in 20 years, the report said.

Natwar Singh said he hoped India, Pakistan and Iran could hold a joint meeting to straighten out terms of the deal before the end of the year. Sarna said no venue had been chosen.

Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki said the new government, which took over last month, was as committed to the pipeline project as its reformist predecessor.

&#34There has been an urgent request from President (Mahmoud) Ahmadinejad and several committees have been formed, they will continue the project,&#34 he told reporters.