The offer was made during talks yesterday between a visiting Indian delegation led by P Kalyanasundaram, Director (international cooperation) in the Petroleum Ministry, and a Pakistani team headed by Joint Secretary Shabbir Ahmed of the Petroleum Ministry.

The Indian team also met Petroleum Minister Asim Hussain, who said Pakistan is interested in importing furnace oil and diesel.

India offered to build a pipeline to the Wagah border to export oil to meet all of Pakistan¿s needs if New Delhi is assured of purchases in large quantities over the long run, The Express Tribune quoted its sources as saying.

Officials said Pakistan can get oil supplies from India at prices that are 30 per cent cheaper because of low transportation costs. Agencies