Iran asks India to decide soon or leave gas pipeline project to China

Mumbai: China is keen to join the Iran gas pipeline project, and if India does not take a decision soon, Beijing may replace New Delhi in the deal, Iran's foreign ministry spokesperson Mohammad Ali Hosseini said in New Delhi.

Hosseini, who is on a visit to New Delhi said there is limited time left for India to take a decision on the gas pipeline.

"Expedite the decision-making process to finalise the gas deal. We don't have a lot of time," Hosseini said.

He said while Iran was ready to wait for India to take a decision on the gas pipeline, "China is also applying pressure and wants to join the project."

Pakistan, meanwhile, said it welcomed China's participation in the Iran gas pipeline project, irrespective of whether India decides to take part in the venture.

The Iran-Pakistan-India (IPI) pipeline was originally envisaged to transport Iranian gas to India and Pakistan. India has not participated in the last few rounds of discussions on the project following differences with Pakistan over a transit fee to be paid for the Iranian gas.