ISLAMABAD, Dec 28: Pakistan reiterated on Tuesday that it would be able to ensure safe supply of natural gas to rival India should New Delhi join a proposed project to bring gas from Iran via Pakistan.

Pakistan has been keen on the proposed $4 billion pipeline for years but India has been lukewarm given its troubled relations with Islamabad and concerns about security in Pakistan.

India began showing interest as its relationship with Pakistan warmed in recent months and on Tuesday Iranian Foreign Minister Kamal Kharrazi arrived in Islamabad for further discussions on the project with Pakistan.

Speaking to Kharrazi, Pakistan's Foreign Minister Khursheed Mehmood Kasuri called for early implementation of the scheme. "Pakistan needs the gas pipeline with Iran anyway due to its very high growth rate and in view of an even higher growth expected in future," an official statement quoted him as saying.

"Pakistan would welcome India joining the project while assuring it of security of supplies through Pakistani territory." Later, the Iranian foreign minister met Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz.

During the meeting, the two sides agreed to further explore the proposed Iran-Pakistan-Inida gas pipeline project. Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz expressed the hope that further progress with regard to the gas pipe-line would be possible in near future.

The prime minister also discussed with the visiting dignitary expansion in the field of banking and opening of bank branches in each other's countries. Mr Aziz said that close relations between Iran and Pakistan were a source of strength and peace in the region.

He said the establishment of joint investment companies and banks between the two countries would further promote economic relations. Both the leaders emphasized the need for closer cooperation in prevention of narcotics trafficking and agreed to encourage tri-lateral efforts between Pakistan, Iran and Afghanistan.