Indian Delegation to Visit Pakistan for LNG Supply Talks

A high-level Indian delegation is expected to visit Pakistan within a week to finalise a deal on sale of 200 mmcfd of LNG to Pakistan, government officials have told Business Recorder newspaper.

The two countries have finalised all modalities except price, the newspaper reported on Sunday.

During earlier rounds of talks in New Delhi in March and April it was decided that officials from Gail India would visit Pakistan in the second week of August.

Gail India will source LNG from international suppliers, which will then be regasified at the LNG terminal at Dahej in Gujarat, for supply to Pakistan. The pipeline to be used to supply gas to Pakistan would start from western Indian state of Gujarat, would be built by Gail India.

Pakistan has been facing acute shortage of natural gas to feed its power plants and has intensified efforts to source the fuel.  

Meanwhile, another Pakistani newspaper Dawn reported on Saturday that Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) of the cabinet approved on Friday formation of a nine-member price negotiations committee to hold talks with Qatar Gas for import of LNG.

The committee will hold negotiations with Qatar Gas for a government-to-government deal on gas import and examine the results of LNG import price to be offered by bidders, reported Dawn.