NEW DELHI, Oct 13: Preliminary steps have been taken for a meeting between the petroleum ministers of India and Pakistan on the proposed Indo-Iran gas pipeline through Pakistan, reports said on Wednesday , quoting Indian Petroleum Minister Mani Shankar Aiyar.

Mr Aiyar said preliminary steps are being taken for a meeting with the Pakistan petroleum minister, for which the joint statement by the foreign ministers of India and Pakistan on Sept 6 provides the basis.

"India is betting that oil, gas and diplomacy will mix well in South Asia," the Indian Express said. The Saarc meeting in Dhaka in early January will also give Mr Aiyar a platform to scan for the possibility of gas exploration in Bangladesh, it said.