NEW DELHI, Dec 16: Pakistan and India on Friday began discussing details of the $7 billion Iran-Pakistan-India gas pipeline to evolve a project structure for its implementation and operation. Pakistan is expected to give its views on the project structure suggested by India, at the third meeting of the Indo-Pak Joint Working Group on the pipeline that began in the national capital on Friday.

“There will be discussions on the subject with a view to finalize the project structure,” PTI quoted an official as saying.

The Indian side is being led by Petroleum Secretary SC Tripathi and his Pakistani counterpart Ahmad Waqar is representing Islamabad. Mukhtar Ahmed, energy adviser to Pakistani prime minister, is also participating in the meeting.

Islamabad will make clear its stand on the participation of Indian companies in the project and present its views on the draft Framework Agreement suggested by Indian side in October.

India will share its views on transit fee payable to Pakistan and solicit Islamabad’s opinion on various pipeline route options. The Indian side would also share views of their technical consultant on pre-feasibility of the project.

Pakistani side would share views on transportation tariff, the official said, adding that the two-day meeting would also discuss system configuration, gas quantity and build-up and pipeline and gas insurance.—Online