(a) whether India and Iran have recently agreed to promote and expand energy sector
between the two countries;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether any power project in India is proposed to be taken up under this
agreement; and
(d) if so, the details thereof?
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF POWER ( SHRIMATI JAYAWANTI MEHTA )
(a) to (d) : India and Iran have been pursuing bilateral cooperation in many fields
including in the energy sector. Our cooperation in the energy sector includes
hydrocarbons and power. As regards, hydrocarbons, India and Iran have been constituted
a Joint Committee to study various aspects of supply of Iranian gas to India. The Joint
Committee has held five meetings so far, the last being held in Tehran in August, 2002.
During the visit of the Hon`ble Prime Minister to Iran in April, 2001, an
MoU for cooperation in the Power Sector was signed between the two countries.
This Memorandum of Understanding for cooperation between the two
countries in the field of power includes both conventional and non-conventional source.
It mentions that both parties can enhance their cooperation in the field of power including
investments for mutual benefit. It further mentions that the parities shall cooperate in
power generation, transmission and distribution and in technology development in these
areas including manufacture/repair of the power transformers and boilers.
In the 12th Session of the Indo-Iranian Joint Committee Meeting held in
New Delhi on May 20-21, 2002, it was informed to Iranian side that major Indian
companies like Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL), Larsen & Toubro (L&T) can
participate in projects, supply of equipments and consultancy. They also suggested that
Indian and Iranian companies could also undertake joint projects in their respective
countries and also third countries. Both Sides agreed to follow-up the present discussions
for production cooperation in the field of medium sized hydro-electric plants between the
Indian Company (BHEL) with its Iranian counterpart (IDRO).