Iran seeks changes in 'under-negotiation' IPI pipeline pact
Thursday, 20 November 2008
New Delhi, Nov 19 (PTI): In a new twist to negotiations on the much-delayed Iran-Pakistan-India pipeline, Tehran wants legal immunity in case of armed conflict disrupting natural gas supplies through the proposed line.
Iran wants changes to be made in the under-negotiation Gas Sales and Purchase Agreement (GSPA) with consuming nations, to insulate itself from payment of penalties in case of non-supply of natural gas due to armed conflict, government sources said. The amendment to the force majeure clause is being opposed by New Delhi which wants Tehran to make alternate arrangements like shipping gas in its liquefied form (LNG), in event of disruption. Negotiations on the USD 7.4 billion pipeline have been long and tedious with each side wanting to protect its interest and now, when most of the issues have been settled, the new condition would further delay an agreement on the project.
Iran wants changes to be made in the under-negotiation Gas Sales and Purchase Agreement (GSPA) with consuming nations, to insulate itself from payment of penalties in case of non-supply of natural gas due to armed conflict, government sources said. The amendment to the force majeure clause is being opposed by New Delhi which wants Tehran to make alternate arrangements like shipping gas in its liquefied form (LNG), in event of disruption. Negotiations on the USD 7.4 billion pipeline have been long and tedious with each side wanting to protect its interest and now, when most of the issues have been settled, the new condition would further delay an agreement on the project.