Iran is understood to have offered gas for the proposed Iran-Pakistan-India pipeline project at $6 per million British thermal units (BTU).
The price along with the project structure was discussed at the first Secretary-level (trilateral) meeting of the three countries in Tehran last week to work out an agreement for building the over $7 billion pipeline project, sources at Indian petroleum ministry were quoted as saying.
"For the first time in 18 months, the issue of gas pricing was discussed. Iran has offered gas in the range of six dollars per mbtu, to be delivered at Pakistan-Iran border," sources said.
The issue would be further discussed by officials on April 30, in Islamabad, when the three sides would meet again, sources said, adding that a ministerial-level meeting might also take place later.
"India and Pakistan will have to do some homework to get a correct picture on Iran's offer," they said. In the meeting, held on March 13-15, project structure was discussed. Indian delegation was led by Petroleum Secretary M B Srinivasan.
The three sides discussed the proposals for building the 2500 km long pipeline either through a consortium involving companies from the three countries or each country building the pipeline on its own.