ISLAMABAD - The Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline, which could be extended to India, will be operationalised by 2013, officials of the two countries decided at a meeting here.

Quoting officials of the petroleum ministry, Online news agency reported that the feasibility report of project and other technical matters were discussed during the meeting on Monday.

During the talks, the Pakistani delegation was the view that completion of the project within the quickest possible time was very important for this country as the gas supplied from Iran would help to meet the country’s requirement of energy during the next four years.

Iran is keen on India coming on board the project but New Delhi has concern on issues relating to security, cost and pricing.

The security concerns arise as the pipeline will be passing through Pakistan’s volatile Balochistan province.

This apart, India is not agreeable to bearing the bulk of the pipeline’s cost, as is being demanded, since Pakistan too would be a major beneficiary of the project.

As for pricing, India says this should be done in a transparent manner.

Everything else apart, New Delhi says that if it becomes a part of the project, it wants the gas to be delivered at the India-Pakistan border so that the pipeline ends there.