TEHRAN, 23 February 2005 — Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz said in Tehran yesterday that “pipeline diplomacy” would bring peace to the region, the state news agency IRNA reported.
“This development will build a very good atmosphere for improvement of relations among all the region’s countries,” Aziz said.
Aziz also voiced happiness about India’s agreement to join an Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline project.
“Fortunately with the agreement of Indian government, we hope that this significant project will be operational as soon as possible,” he said.
Referring to Pakistan’s growing economy, Aziz said: “In order for us to ensure such a fast and constant growth, we need a reliable source for energy supply.”
This is Aziz’s first visit to neighboring Iran to boost ties and discuss the proposed multi-billion dollar gas pipeline.
Aziz will meet with Iranian President Mohammad Khatami during his three-day trip. Iran and India have been talking about a 2,775-kilometer pipeline across Pakistan since 1994 but with little progress due to strained relations between New Delhi and Islamabad.
However, a 13-month-old peace process between the South Asian nuclear rivals has breathed new life into the project, and the Indian Cabinet recently gave its approval to $4.04 billion deal to be signed with Iran in June.
India is expected to require 400 million cubic meters (14.1 billion cubic feet) of gas per day by 2025, up from 90 million cubic meters now.
Last week the foreign ministers of India and Pakistan signaled they wanted to go ahead with the pipeline linking Iran’s South Pars gas field to India via southwest Pakistan.
Before his departure, Aziz said his visit would help further strengthen and expand the existing “strong historical ties” between Pakistan and Iran.
“In my view, there will be substantial progress on the gas pipeline project during this trip,” Aziz told state television before leaving for Tehran.
Aziz, who is also finance minister, has championed the need for stronger economic ties between Pakistan and India in order to normalize relations, and was upbeat as he headed to Iran.
“Our effort is that Iran, Pakistan and India should take this project forward. Our energy needs are increasing and if we get gas from abroad, it will benefit the economy,” said Aziz.
Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz said he would also hold talks with the Iranian leaders on trade and improving rail, road and air links.
