No accord on IPI gas transit fee yet: Deora

NEW DELHI—The Indian government said there was no agreement yet on the transit fees payable to Pakistan regarding Iran-Pakistan-India gas pipeline project. Indian Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas, Murli Deora in a written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha said the issue of transit fees was discussed during the last India-Pakistan Joint Working Group (JWG) meeting in June here where it was agreed that the charge should be based on “the cost of service to be achieved through international competitive bidding.” But there was no agreement yet, he said.
The Indian daily “The Hindu” reported India had been pursuing the import of natural gas from Iran through this pipeline project. Two secretary-level joint working groups were set-up with Pakistan and Iran. The daily said during the fourth tripartite meeting held in Tehran pricing formula on gas on the Iran-Pakistan border was agreed between Iran and Pakistan, subject to approval from their governments.

—Agencies