New Delhi, January 24
Iranian President Seyyed Mohammed Khatami arrived here this evening on a five-day visit, aimed at imparting a new strategic dimension to Indo-Iran ties and making the Central Asian region better accessible to India without having to use Pakistani land route or airspace.

Mr Khatami arrived at 5.30 pm and was driven straight to Rashtrapati Bhavan.

Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee hosted a private dinner for the visiting dignitary. External Affairs Minister Yashwant Sinha, Human Resources Development Minister Murli Manohar Joshi and Foreign Secretary Kanwal Sibal were among the 10 Indians to attend the dinner.

Iran’s Foreign Minister Kamal Kharrazi, Defence Minister Ali Shamkhani, Science and Technology Minister Mostfa Moeen and Oil Minister Bijan Zangneh were also present. Prior to the dinner, Mr Vajpayee had informal talks with Mr Khatami.

The Iranian President is scheduled to have one-to-one talks with Mr Vajpayee at Hyderabad House tomorrow evening, which will be followed by delegation-level talks. This will be followed by a joint press conference by Mr Khatami and Mr Vajpayee.

Well-placed sources in South Block told The Tribune today that Iran was going to pitch for a gas pipeline from Iran to India, but New Delhi had its own nagging doubts on the issue. The two countries have not yet decided whether the proposed pipeline should be over-land (which will inevitably have to pass through Pakistani territory) or whether it should be under sea.

The Iranian perception is that India should opt for land route as apart from its quicker completion, it will also be a “peace pipeline” between India and Pakistan.

The Vajpayee government is reluctant on the “peace pipeline” logic for a host of reasons. First, Pakistan will get close to $ 1 billion as royalty per annum for allowing the pipeline to pass through its territory. This money, New Delhi feels, will be used for continuing its proxy war against India.

Secondly, the security of the pipeline will be in grave danger. The Indian fears have been fuelled by a spate of attacks on oil and gas pipelines in Pakistan.

The Vajpayee government will be seeking to focus on improving bilateral ties with Iran in energy, oil, information technology, economic and political spheres. It will also endeavour to put Indo-Iran ties on a strategic pedestal.

The Iranian Defence Minister is scheduled to have a meeting with his Indian counterpart George Fernandes, during which many security related issues will be discussed.