India committed to Iran pipeline despite missing Tehran talks

India remains committed to a multi-billion dollar gas pipeline through Pakistan from Iran despite failing to attend a new round of talks underway in Tehran, officials said Tuesday.
The three countries are yet to agree on the price of gas that Iran plans to sell to energy-starved India, the oil ministry official, who did not wish to be identified, told AFP.
"Of course we are committed to the pipeline, there is no doubt about it. But the price is the issue," he said.
"The price that we agree to with Iran will determine at what price the gas will be sold domestically in India ultimately. So, that is a very sensitive issue for us."
Another oil ministry official said India had agreed to a pricing formula arrived at by Iran and Pakistan in January but that then "fell through".
"We were to talk to Pakistani officials bilaterally before these talks in Tehran," which started Monday, he said.