By IANS
New Delhi : India is not participating in crucial talks on the long delayed tri-nation pipeline that will bring to its shores the Iranian gas via Pakistan, which began in Tehran Monday, as it has still to resolve transit fee issues with Islamabad.
The expert-level talks between Iran and Pakistan over the $7.4 billion project, which will conclude Thursday, are aimed at finalising an agreement on exporting the Iranian gas via Pakistan to India.
The officials will also discuss the draft of the agreement that, after consultations of India, is expected to be signed by the leaders of the three countries.
India is not attending the meet as it has to still resolve issues relating to transit fee which Pakistan will charge for Iranian gas brought to its shores, a reliable source said here.
India and Pakistan have reached a broad understanding on the transit fee to be paid to Islamabad for bringing natural gas through the 1,035-km pipeline segment in that country, but the two neighbours have yet to reach an agreement on the issue.
India has reiterated its commitment to the tri-nation pipeline many a time. But as it readies to complete the final steps to bring its landmark civil nuclear deal with the US to fruition, it is treading cautiously.
A section of nuclear hawks in Washington have objected to New Delhi’s engagement with Tehran as it suspects the latter of developing a nuclear weapon programme.