Tehran Times reported that Mr Manouchehr Mottaki foreign minister of Iran who arrived in New Delhi held talks with Mr Manmohan Singh PM and Mr SM Krishna foreign minister of India behind closed doors.

An Indian official said that talks between Mr Mottaki and Mr Krishna would cover the much delayed USD 7.5 billion gas pipeline project that was first mooted in 1994. The project would carry gas from Iran to Pakistan and then India.

Recently, India announced its willingness to join the project which Iran calls the peace pipeline project. India withdrew from the talks 2008 citing disagreements about prices and transit fees as well as chronic disputes with Pakistan.

Mr Singh said that India is willing to go ahead with the gas pipeline project. The Indian premier noted that he might also travel to Tehran in the future.

Mr Mottaki told Singh that Iran and India, as traditional allies could formulate similar policies on regional issues.

(Sourced from Tehran Times)