India Talks Gas Pipeline With Russia, Iran

India has revived gas pipeline talks with Russia and Iran.

Dharmendra Pradhan, India’s energy minister, met with Russian counterpart Alexander Novak on the margins of the 6th OPEC International Seminar to discuss possibility of a natural gas and oil pipeline. The two countries agreed to conduct a joint study at an early date for exploring feasibility of crude and gas pipelines from Russia to India, according to a statement by Indian government.

Russia too has been looking to diversify its energy export market away from Europe. Last year, Russia and China signed two major gas deals. On May 21, 2014 Gazprom and CNPC signed the purchase and sale agreement for gas supply via the eastern route. The 30-year contract provides for Russian gas supplies to China in the amount of 38 billion cubic meters per year. On November 10, 2014 Gazprom and CNPC signed the framework agreement on Russian natural gas supply to China via the western route.

India is also keen on importing natural gas from Russia and working together in exploration and production sector. 

During his meeting with Iranian petroleum minister Bijan Namdar Zangenah, Pradhan discussed about Indian involvement in exploration and production projects in Iran and possibility of building gas pipeline from Iran to India through various alternate routes. 

Originally, India was supposed to import Iranian gas via the Iran-Pakistan-India (IPI) pipeline, but in 2009 Delhi pulled out from the project due to pricing and security issues. Another option that has been proposed is that of an undersea pipeline from Iran to India bypassing Pakistan.