New Delhi:
Has the Iran-Pakistan-India gas pipeline got a new lease of life? It seems so after Iran's foreign minister, Manoucher Mottaki called on the Prime Minister in Delhi on Monday.
This is the first high-level visit from Tehran since the UPA and president Ahmedinijad came back to power this summer.
A joint working group will meet soon to discuss how to resolve the contentious issue.
Sources say the two sides discussed terrorism emanating from Pakistan and the proposed 2775-km long Iran-Pakistan-India gas pipeline, which has been in cold storage after differences over price and security.
Sources in the government say those concerns remain, in fact security within Pakistan is an even bigger concern now. But new Delhi is still keen on the project, especially after Iran said China was interested in the project.
Now, a joint working group will meet soon to discuss the issue, but the practical difficulties are still very real and the pipeline is still a long haul.