Indian Oil Minister to Visit Iran Soon: Report
TEHRAN (Tasnim) - Indian Oil Minister Dharmendra Pradhan will lead an official delegation to Tehran in coming weeks to scoop up its country's oil and gas cooperation with Iran following the conclusion of nuclear talks between the Islamic Republic and six world powers, a senior Indian official said.
"India is keen on strengthening ties with Iran. The petroleum minister will soon be leading an Indian delegation to Tehran in the coming weeks to discuss energy cooperation between the two nations," a senior Indian oil ministry official told the Telegraph India.
He added that development of the Farzad-B field and revival of the Iran-Pakistan-India gas pipeline will be among the topics to be discussed during the minister’s visit to Tehran.
Back in July, Indian Finance Secretary Rajiv Mehrishi made a visit to Tehran at the head of a high-ranking delegation and discussed payment of $6.5 billion that India owes in past oil dues.
The 4-member delegation included an official from Reserve Bank of India (RBI) as well as Oil Ministry.
Tehran and the Group 5+1 (Russia, China, the US, Britain, France and Germany) on July 14 reached a conclusion over the text of a comprehensive 159-page deal on Tehran's nuclear program.
After coming into force, the comprehensive nuclear deal would terminate all nuclear-related sanctions imposed on Iran.
Lifting of anti-Iran sanctions would open up banking channels and Tehran is likely to seek past oil dues.
Under US pressure, New Delhi had restricted import of Iranian oil at 11 million tons in past two fiscals. But with easing of sanctions, it will look at increasing imports.