Just last week, Iran's foreign minister urged Pakistan to complete its part of a much-delayed gas pipeline between the two countries. And now, Pakistan has pulled out. Tehran says it has already invested $2 billion in the pipeline on its side of the border. Here's a look at what's been happening.

Cash-strapped Pakistan abandons Iran gas pipeline project; US pressure over sanctions | Details

Even as the debate on ties with China is ongoing in Iran, there is a bigger potential for Tehran to have relations with India, former Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said on Tuesday.

He was responding to a question about the growing proximity between Iran and China, in an exclusive interview with WION Executive Editor Palki Sharma.

Under former president Hassan Rouhani, Iran had elevated its ties with China. A pact worth $400 billion was signed, defining the roadmap of future relations for the next 25 years.&nbsp;

Asked about this, Ahmadinejad said: “I think the potential for cooperation between Iran and India is far more than the capacity of the contract between Iran and China now being discussed.”

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“It is the best for nations to have relations with each

other and utilise the maximum potential. But I believe that the capacity that exists between Iran and India is much higher than relationships with other countries.”

Asked how Iran-China ties &nbsp;will affect other partners like India, Ahmedinejad said there’s been a lot of debate over China, “and it is ongoing.”

"As I said before, with any agreement justice and respect should be observed. The rights of the two parties should be balanced. Regarding the China deal, no clear information has been published in Iran, that is why Iranian people look at it with doubt."

Noting the deep cultural linkages that exist between India and Iran, the former president said there are a lot of potential areas of cooperation.

“The volume of communications we have today, compared to the potential and common interests, is extremely small," said Ahmadinejad, who launched the proposed ‘peace pipeline’ between India and Iran when he was president.

“As a fundamental strategy, we need to do our best to ensure that we utilise the maximum available capacity.”

“We love the people of India very much. When we travel to India, we feel we are at home,” he said, adding. “The people of India are extremely lovely. They are so kind. There’s cultural proximity shared among the two nations.”

Asked if the new administration of incoming president Ebrahim Raisi is going to take forward ties with India, Ahmadinejad said, &nbsp;“that’s the strategy that the two countries need to pursue and there is no other way except this.”

Part of the interview will air on WION on Tuesday at 3:30 PM GMT.

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Even as the debate on ties with China is ongoing in Iran, there is a bigger potential for Tehran to have relations with India, former Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said on Tuesday.

Even as the debate on ties with China is ongoing in Iran, there is a bigger potential for Tehran to have relations with India, former Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said on Tuesday. He was responding to a question about the growing proximity between Iran and China, in an exclusive interview with WION Executive Editor Palki Sharma. Under former president Hassan Rouhani, Iran had elevated its ties with China. A pact worth $400 billion was signed, defining the roadmap of future relations for the next 25 years. Asked about this, Ahmadinejad said: “I think the potential for cooperation between Iran and India is far more than the capacity of the contract between Iran and China now being discussed.” WATCH | “It is the best for nations to have relations with each other and utilise the maximum potential. But I believe that the capacity that exists between Iran and India is much higher than relationships with other countries.” Asked how Iran-China ties will affect other partners like India, Ahmedinejad said there’s been a lot of debate over China, “and it is ongoing.” "As I said before, with any agreement justice and respect should be observed. The rights of the two parties should be balanced. Regarding the China deal, no clear information has been published in Iran, that is why Iranian people look at it with doubt." Noting the deep cultural linkages that exist between India and Iran, the former president said there are a lot of potential areas of cooperation. “The volume of communications we have today, compared to the potential and common interests, is extremely small," said Ahmadinejad, who launched the proposed ‘peace pipeline’ between India and Iran when he was president. “As a fundamental strategy, we need to do our best to ensure that we utilise the maximum available capacity.” “We love the people of India very much. When we travel to India, we feel we are at home,” he said, adding. “The people of India are extremely lovely. They are so kind. There’s cultural proximity shared among the two nations.” Asked if the new administration of incoming president Ebrahim Raisi is going to take forward ties with India, Ahmadinejad said, “that’s the strategy that the two countries need to pursue and there is no other way except this.” Part of the interview will air on WION on Tuesday at 3:30 PM GMT.

Exclusive: India has more potential than China for ties with Iran: Former Iranian prez Mahmoud Ahmadinejad

In a big blow to Pakistan&#39;s energy needs, <a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistani-citizens-gasp-for-clean-air-17137">American oil giant ExxonMobil has decided to quit </a>Pakistan over differences among the six-member group behind the project in Port Qasim, Karachi.

The deal is set to hit <a href="http://www.wionews.com/business-economy/bangladesh-set-to-sign-gasoil-deal-with-india-22602">Pakistan&#39;s Iran pipeline project since the country</a> is strategically located in the pipeline grid for LNG.

LNG imports have transformed Pakistan since it was first introduced two years ago. However, this time Pakistan is set to experience major gas shortages in the coming winter which could become a key election issue next year.

A senior Pakistani government official speaking to Reuters put the chances of success for the project, set to be Pakistan&#39;s third and biggest by import capacity, at 10-20 percent due to the disagreements.

Exxon was pulling out because it had &quot;issues with partners&quot;, particularly the developer, GEIL, one energy official told Reuters.

They are thinking to build a new terminal in Port Qasim,&quot; Pakistan&#39;s Maritime Affairs minister Hasil Bizenjo said.

Pakistan authorities are now actively looking for new partners with most players keen on developing Port Qasim.&nbsp;

The new project would include a floating storage and regasification unit (FSRU), where LNG will be converted back into gas for feeding into the country&#39;s grid.

Pakistan plans to add its second LNG import terminal by the end of this year, but private companies have proposed building six more largely around Port Qasim.

Pakistan had begun work on the Iran pipeline in the mid-2000s which would have also included India and China but the US government put pressure on Pak government not to deal with Iran.&nbsp;

The pipeline is now in various stages of completion with no set date for its inauguration.

The deal is set to hit Pakistan's Iran pipeline project since the country is strategically located in the pipeline grid for LNG.

In a big blow to Pakistan's energy needs, American oil giant ExxonMobil has decided to quit Pakistan over differences among the six-member group behind the project in Port Qasim, Karachi. The deal is set to hit Pakistan's Iran pipeline project since the country is strategically located in the pipeline grid for LNG. LNG imports have transformed Pakistan since it was first introduced two years ago. However, this time Pakistan is set to experience major gas shortages in the coming winter which could become a key election issue next year. A senior Pakistani government official speaking to Reuters put the chances of success for the project, set to be Pakistan's third and biggest by import capacity, at 10-20 percent due to the disagreements. Exxon was pulling out because it had "issues with partners", particularly the developer, GEIL, one energy official told Reuters. They are thinking to build a new terminal in Port Qasim," Pakistan's Maritime Affairs minister Hasil Bizenjo said. Pakistan authorities are now actively looking for new partners with most players keen on developing Port Qasim. The new project would include a floating storage and regasification unit (FSRU), where LNG will be converted back into gas for feeding into the country's grid. Pakistan plans to add its second LNG import terminal by the end of this year, but private companies have proposed building six more largely around Port Qasim. Pakistan had begun work on the Iran pipeline in the mid-2000s which would have also included India and China but the US government put pressure on Pak government not to deal with Iran. The pipeline is now in various stages of completion with no set date for its inauguration.

Pakistan's LNG plans hit as ExxonMobil pulls out