An agreement to build a gas pipeline from Iran to India across Pakistan could be signed in late July-early August, an Iranian oil ministry official said, adding that the three sides are currently in intensive negotiations to meet the deadline.
He said the project could be launched in 2001.
The sides previously coordinated gas transport tariffs, but have yet to agree on transit duty for gas pumped across Pakistan. According to informal reports, New Delhi is ready to pay about $90 million a year, while Islamabad is asking for $200 million.
The pipeline project is opposed by the United States, which is striving to isolate Iran, but the sides have repeatedly stated their resolve to carry it through despite pressure from Washington.
