India on Tuesday night said the gas pipeline with Iran and Pakistan is a "doable" project though a "lot of work" needs to be done to ensure that it is commercially viable, secure and there were assured supplies.
"We think it is doable," Foreign Secretary Shiv Shankar Menon told reporters after three-hour talks between visiting Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in Delhi.
Menon said India, Pakistan and Iran will have a meeting in the middle of this year to discuss security-related issues on the supply of gas to India via Pakistan.
"We need to make sure that the Iran pipleline project is economically viable. This project has a life of 40 years," Menon tol the media in Delhi.
Menon confirmed that India was trying to re-negotiate the Liquefied Natural Gas project with Iran. The deal was first made in 2005, but India feels there could be renegotiation.
Earlier in the day, Ahmadinejad met President Pratibha Patil.
"The two leaders discussed energy, West Asia, Afghanistan and various other issues," Menon added.
Ahmadinejad said Iran's mission is the peaceful use of nuclear energy confirming to International Atomic Energy Agency standards.
"Iran said it wants to triple trade with India," Menon said.
"We do not think what we are doing with Iran is wrong," Menon said regarding the US objection in dealing the Iran.
Regarding the Sarabjit Singh case, Menon said he hoped that the Pakistan government will grant him clemency.
Additional Reportage: PTI
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