AKASH DWIVEDI,Dharmendra Pradhan, Hon’ble Minister of State
(I/C) for Petroleum and Natural Gas, is visiting Iran from 9-10 April 2016.He
is accompanied
by senior officials from his Ministry and also from Department of
Petrochemicals, Department of Fertilizers, Department of Economic Affairs apart
from CMDs/MDs from Central Public Sector Oil and Gas companies. Representatives
of private sector companies involved in petroleum, petrochemicals and
fertilizers sectors are also travelling along with Mr Pradhan as part of FICCI
delegation.
On 9th April, Sh
Pradhan had meetings with Minister of Petroleum Mr Bijan Namdar Zanganeh,Senior
Advisor to the President of Iran on Free Trade Zones Mr Akbar Torkan and
Governor of Iranian Central Bank Dr Valliolah Seif.
During the meetings, the
leaders noted that India-Iran bilateral relations have withstood the tests of
time.Sh Pradhan expressed that the
lifting of sanction was an importantmilestone in Iranian history and
represented a significant success for patient diplomacyand signalled a new
chapter of peace and prosperity for Iran.The leaders agreed that it has opened
up opportunities in our bilateral relations for new initiatives in the spheres
of energy, investments and regional connectivity.
Both sides also discussed the
developments regarding Farzab-B gas fields and expressed confidence on
concluding an agreement at the earliest. The issue relating to payment of dues by
Indian refineries to Iran towards purchase of crude oil were also discussed. Sh
Pradhan conveyed that India was committed towards making payments as and when banking
channels, acceptable to both sides, were available.
Sh Pradhan conveyed to the Iranian side that Indian
companies could invest upto $ 20 billion and were interested in setting up
petrochemical and fertilizer plants, including in the Chabahar SEZ, either
through Joint Venture between Indian and Iranian public sector companies or
with private sector partners. In this regard, he requested Iran to allocate
appropriate and adequate land in the SEZ. He also requested Iranian side for
favourable treatment in the pricing of gas for India and also supply
of rich gas at competitive price and on long term basis for the life of the
joint venture projects that Indian companies are interested in setting up. He
said that competitive gas pricing was crucial in making the projects attractive
for the prospective investors. He
also expressed India’s interest in setting up a LNG plant and a gas cracker in
the Chabahar port.
Sh Pradhan also conveyed to the
Iranian side that both countries must expand the basket of oil and gas trade.
He expressed India’s interest in importing LPG from Iran and said that companies
from both sides could discuss on setting up an extraction plant in Chabahar, if
required. Both sides agreed to continue examining various means of evacuation
of gas such as LNG, including through the proposed
Iran-Pakistan-India pipeline.
On 10th
April, Sh Pradhan and his delegation visited Chabahar Free Trade Zone and Port
for a site visit and discussed the facilities and incentives which could be
offered to Indian companies.
The visit came
9 years after the previous visit by an Indian Minister of Petroleum &
Natural Gas. It was the first visit of an Indian minister to Iran after
sanctions were lifted this January.
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