US warns India, Pak against transactions with Iran

Lalit K Jha and Betwa Sharma
Washington/New York, Apr 2 (PTI) With India still keen to
join an ambitious gas pipeline project involving Iran and
Pakistan, the US has warned all countries against engaging in
transactions with Tehran at a time when sensitive talks are on
to consider additional sanctions on it over its nuclear issue.
"Our concerns about the government of Iran are very well
known. Given its current unwillingness to address its
international obligations and international concerns about its
nuclear programme, we don't think that this is the time for
such transactions to be taking place with Iran," Assistant
Secretary of State for South and Central Asia, Robert Blake,
said.
He was referring to the USD 7.5 billion gas pipeline deal
signed last month between Pakistan and Iran, a project in
which India has shown renewed interest.
India's Petroleum Ministry says that a decision on
joining the Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline should not be governed
by politics, although talks have hit roadblocks on issues
ranging from pricing of gas to security of the pipeline.
"The Iran-Pakistan-India pipeline discussions have been
going on," said Petroleum Secretary S Sundareshan, who was
accompanying Oil Minister Murli Deora during his stay in New
York after returning from the International Energy Forum in
Cancun.
"We must leave the politics aside, ultimately this
pipeline project can progress if the gas is variable at
reasonable rates at the India-Pakistan border," he said.
"It's basically going to be a business decision at the end of
the day."
In his remarks, Blake said the Obama Administration,
which is aggressively working with its international partners
at the UN Security Council to slap additional sanctions
against Iran, is opposed to the gas pipeline deal inked
between Pakistan and Tehran.
"This is a very sensitive time in negotiations with Iran,
and we would prefer that all countries not conduct such
transactions with Iran at this time," Blake told reporters at
the Foreign Press Centre here yesterday, adding the US has
encouraged Pakistan to try to seek alternatives. PTI LKJ
AHM


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