BOMBAY, June 12: The latest round of proposed talks between India and Pakistan has offered hope for speedy execution of the proposed Iran gas project, Iran’s ambassador to India Siavosh Yaghoobi said on Thursday.

“The recent (offer of) peace talks between the two nations is a good sign and the project can take off fast. Regular meetings between India and Iran are held on the implementation of the project,” Mr Yaghoobi said.

The land pipeline would run 1,600km from Iran to Sindh in Pakistan before travelling another 1,000km to India.

“Feasibility study of the project should be ready by October. It (land route) will also be cheaper. The total cost would be around eight billion dollars,” Mr Yaghoobi said.

Addressing a gathering of Indian businessmen here, Mr Yaghoobi said the pipeline would be secure. “Pakistan will be using around 40 per cent of the gas proposed to be supplied through the pipeline, which itself will be security of the project and gas,” he said.—AFP