Pranab: both nuclear deal, IPI pipeline for energy

Drawing parallels between the Indo-US civil nuclear deal and the proposed IPI gas pipeline, External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee said in Tehran on Sunday...

Drawing parallels between the Indo-US civil nuclear deal and the proposed IPI gas pipeline, External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee said in Tehran on Sunday that the basic aim behind both the initiatives was to secure energy. Mukherjee, who is on a two-day visit to Iran, said: “The basic imperative of the India-US civil nuclear agreement is the same as that which binds us to the Iran-Pakistan-India (IPI) gas pipeline. Our energy needs are too large to be met from a single source.”

Addressing a seminar on “India and Iran: Ancient civilisations and modern nations”, he said: “We would like Iranian investment in India, especially in the oil and gas sectors. Iran is a very important producer of hydrocarbons and we are a major consumer. There could be mutually beneficial long-term arrangements, including our agreement on supply of LNG or the proposed IPI gas pipeline project.”

He recalled that in the past both countries had successfully collaborated in setting up the Madras Refinery Project, the Kudremukh Iron Ore Project and the Madras Fertiliser Project, besides the Irano-Hind Shipping Company.

Story continues below this ad

Mukherjee emphasised that New Delhi’s foreign policy will remain independent and guided by the interests of its own people even while it strengthens ties with the US, Russia, China or any emerging economies of Asia, Latin America and Africa. He said that there was a “fundamental principle of independence and freedom of thought and action”. He added: “we are open to all counsel and manner of views, but our assessments and policies are ours alone.”

Talking about “common neighbour” Pakistan, Mukherjee said that in recent years India has pursued a policy of “positive and substantial engagement” with Islamabad.

On Afghanistan, he said that India has had a history of friendly relations with the country and it is actively engaged in the reconstruction and development of Afghanistan. He also said that India has “long-standing” ties with Iraq. “We wish to see the Iraqi people freely determine their political future and exercise control over their natural resources.”

Amid India’s push to extradite Vijay Mallya and Nirav Modi, British officials visit Tihar jail to inspect conditions

British officials inspect Tihar jail as India pushes to extradite Mallya, Nirav Modi

Cities7 hr ago

A team from the British CPS visited Tihar jail to inspect inmate conditions and security, amidst India's efforts to extradite fugitives Vijay Mallya, Nirav Modi, and Sanjay Bhandari from the UK. They discussed setting up a specialized enclosure for high-profile prisoners and addressed concerns about violence within the jail. As of 2024, India has made 178 extradition requests to various countries.

View all shorts

Live Blog