'Iran examining accurately arrest of Kulbhushan Jadhav'

Iranian ambassador Gholamreza Ansari has said that Iran was "very accurately" examining the issue of the arrest of an ex-Indian Navy officer Kulbhushan Jadhav by Pakistan on charges of planning "subversive activities" in its Balochistan province.

"First of all we are trying to complete our own information about the case, we are looking into this issue very accurately."

Jadhav, allegedly entered Pakistan through Iran, was arrested last month and described as an officer of the Indian Navy, however, the claim was rejected by the Indian government.

Ansari also ruled out the possibility of the Iran-Pakistan-India gas pipeline project materliasing, by saying that "we should forget about it".

Those who have invested in the LNG (liquified petroleum gas) projects in India will not allow the pipeline venture to take off, he said.

"People who have invested in LNG in India, I don't think they will let any pipes to come in," he said.

He said that the Chabahar port project that will open up access to central Asia has been almost finalised.

"It has almost been finalised. Only the signatures at the ministerial level is due," he said.

India and Iran agreed to fast-track the Chabahar port project as external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj held talks during her first visit to the country on Sunday.

--IANS

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