Musharraf favours Indo-Iran pipeline

Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf on Monday supported the $ 4.1-billion Indo-Iran gas pipeline passing through his country, saying the pipeline was in the interest of both India and Pakistan.

"We should go for our national interests. We are game (for the pipeline)," the President said addressing senior Indian editors in New Delhi.

"All three countries benefit from it (pipeline)," he said, adding "Pakistan is desirous of moving forward on this issue."

India is pursuing import of natural gas from Iran through a 2600-km pipeline, 760-km of which will pass through Pakistan, and is likely to open dialogue on transit issues with Islamabad next month.

Pakistan also wants to use the same pipeline for importing gas from Iran for its own use and hopes to earn millions of dollars in transit fee for allowing passage of the pipeline to India.

Referring to the US opposition to the project, he said the whole world was buying oil from Iran and entering into agreements with it on petroleum products.