China may join Iran-Pakistan pipeline

China is ready to join the Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline if India drops out of the $7.4 billion project, Dawn newspaper reported Tuesday quoting Pakistani sources.

The report said Pakistan had urged Iran earlier this month to make the project final by next month because of its growing demand for natural gas.

Iran informed Pakistan if India remained reluctant to join the project under pressure from the United States, Iran would then invite China to do so, the report said.

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If India drops out of the $7.4 billion gas pipeline project with Iran and Pakistan, then China will be invited to join. China is ready to do this, but it is not yet clear how the agreement will change once it is involved.

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Prime Minister visit boosts India-China ties

Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has ended his three-day visit to China having secured agreements to strengthen economic and military links.

Mr Singh met Chinese President Hu Jintao on the final day of his official visit to the capital, Beijing.

On Monday, Mr Singh and Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao pledged to expand trade and hold more joint military exercises.

But India pressed China to address an increasing trading imbalance.

Mr Singh's trip to Beijing was the first by an Indian prime minister in five years.

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The visit was said by Mr. Hu to be "short but productive." The two countries are working towards a better trade relationship.