Pakistan says it would welcome India's participation in a proposed gas pipeline with Iran worth $4 billion dollars, but says that the project will go ahead even if New Delhi does not join it.
Pakistani Foreign Minister Khurshid Kasuri made the comment after Tuesday's meeting with his Iranian counterpart, Kamal Kharrazi, in Islamabad.
Iran proposed the pipeline in 1996. But New Delhi's response has been lukewarm given its troubled relations with Islamabad and concerns about the safety of the pipeline carrying its energy supplies through Pakistani territory.
Mr. Kharrazi's visit came as India and Pakistan concluded another round of slow-moving peace talks. The Iranian foreign minister met with Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf late Monday.
Before leaving Pakistan, Mr. Kharrazi held talks with Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz.
Some information for this story provided by AP and Reuters.