The government on Wednesday mandated the petroleum ministry to hold dialogue with Pakistan, Bangladesh, Iran and Myanmar to secure natural gas supplies through pipelines to meet demand of the country.
New Delhi is looking at sourcing natural gas from Iran through a pipeline passing via Pakistan and a separate line from Myanmar via Bangladesh. Also on radar is the possibility of laying a cross-country pipeline from gas-rich Turkmenistan through Afganistan and Pakistan.
"The Cabinet on Wednesday approved broad approach to hold negotiations with Pakistan, Iran, Myanmar, Bangladesh, Turkmenistan and Afghanistan for securing gas supplies through pipelines," Petroleum Minister Mani Shanker Aiyar told newspersons after the meeting.
He said India is seeking gas from Iran through Pakistan, from Turkmenistan through Afghanistan and Pakistan, and from Myanmar through Bangladesh.
"We have already started talks with Iran to supply gas on India-Pakistan border. Detailed discussions on the proposal will begin from Monday, when the Iranian delegation arrives here," Aiyar said.
He said date of further talks with Pakistan oil minister on gas pipelines through its territory would have to be decided.
"Techno-commercial group of India, Myanmar and Bangladesh on laying gas pipeline will meet on February 17-18," Aiyar said.
At a meeting in Yangoon earlier, oil ministers of the three countries had agreed in-principle to lay a gas pipeline from Myanmar to India through Bangladesh.
It was decided that all the three countries will have flexibility of feeding and taking out fuel from the pipeline.