India, Pakistan to meet on energy issues

India and Pakistan plan to meet next month to discuss energy issues of mutual interest. Experts from India and Pakistan are to discuss topics, including electricity, gasoline and the possible export of electricity diesel and petrochemicals to Pakistan along with the possibility of a pipeline from India's Bathinda to Haveli in Pakistan. "This is all set to come up for discussion during the meeting of the Expert Group on Petroleum next month," an Indian official familiar with the planning, speaking on condition of anonymity, told The Hindu newspaper. "There is problem in exporting anything liquid from India into Pakistan as there is no liquid handling mechanism in place at the Integrated Check Post at the border under the customs. This needs to be put in place urgently and this issue will also come up for discussions during the meeting." The official said private- and public-sector interests in India have sought to supply electricity to Pakistan and that Pakistan would more than welcome the moves, the newspaper reported.