NEW DELHI- India’s plan to export gas to Pakistan through a pipeline from Jalandhar in Punjab to the Wagah-Attari border will soon become a reality, according to Indian media.

In his maiden Budget presented in the Lok Sabha, Indian Finance Minister Arun Jaitley has exempted liquefied natural gas (LNG) imports from customs duty if it is meant for onward sale to the neighbouring nation.

“Exemption from basic customs duty (of 5%) is being granted on re-gasified LNG for supply to Pakistan,” the Budget stated.

This will set the stage for the state-run Gail India Ltd – which plans to build a pipeline to export five million units per day of re-gasified LNG to Pakistan – to start work on the ground.

“It’s an important project that will help improve bilateral diplomatic and economic ties between the two neighbours,” informed Minister of State for petroleum Dharmendra Pradhan.

“Broad parameters have been agreed to and a contract will also be signed shortly between the two sides after which it will take one year to build it,” claimed Gail CMD BC Tripathi.