Pakistan wants Russia to be a partner in the gas pipeline that joins Iran, Pakistan, and India, Pakistan's Ambassador to Moscow Mustafa Kamal Qazi is reported to have said in an interview with Radio Moscow. Russia's participation would help to boost Indo-Pak ties besides construction of the gas pipeline and enhancing bilateral economic cooperation between Pakistan and Russia, Qazi said. Russia's state-owned Gazprom, the largest natural gas extractor in the world, has shown interest in the 2700-km long pipeline, estimated to cost around $7.4 billion. The Russian company's officials would soon visit Pakistan to discuss co-operation in the energy sector, Mr Qazi said; however, he did not elaborate on how Pakistan wants Russia to be associated with the project. The invitation to Russia by Pakistan to join IPI adds a new dimension to the politics of this project as Russia, a close ally of India, is also closely associated with Iran.