Indian Oil Minister Mani Shankar Aiyar has met with Bangladeshi leaders in Dhaka to discuss a proposed trilateral natural gas pipeline, which would run from Burma through Bangladesh into India.
After the talks, he told reporters he had a constructive dialogue and the discussions will continue on resolving all outstanding issues over the three-billion dollar project.
Bangladesh wants three trade-related concessions from New Delhi in return for allowing the pipeline cross its territory. But India does not agree to link any of the issues to the tri-nation pipeline, insisting they should be resolved bilaterally between New Delhi and Dhaka.
During his day-long visit, Mr. Aiyar met with Bangladesh's Energy and Mineral Resources Advisor, Mahmudur Rahman, Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, Foreign Minister M. Morshed Khan, and opposition leader Sheikh Hasina.
Amir Khasru has more on the story.
