A Parliamentary panel has said that India should consider reviving the long-delayed Iran-Pakistan-India (IPI) gas pipeline following easing of sanctions on Tehran. As per reports, India had almost abandoned the IPI pipeline in 2008 following the US sanctions against Iran over its suspected nuclear programme and has instead pursued a rival line from Turkmenistan, passing through Afghanistan and Pakistan (TAPI pipeline).

Commenting on the issue, a Government Official told the media, "The government should examine the idea of reviving the (IPI) project as international conditions have become favourable following lifting of sanctions against Iran." "The total length of the pipeline up to Indian border (near Barmer) was about 2,135 km (1,100 kms within Iran and the rest within the territory of Pakistan)," the ministry said. "As per past estimates, investments required for this pipeline were in excess of USD 7 billion," he added. As per reports, there has been little or no progress in the IPI project since 2008 for a number of reasons.