Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh pledged his support to the gas pipeline project from Iran via Pakistan on Monday, and said he would address India's energy concerns to tap all means including nuclear technology.

In a national address on India's 58th Independence Day from the Red Fort here, Singh said discussions were going on a gas pipeline from Iran to India via Pakistan. The 42-billion US dollar project is under US pressure because of Tehran's alleged nuclear ambitions.

"Once this is completed, we will be able to address a major constraint affecting our economy," Manmohan Singh said, making it clear once again that decisions on such matters would be taken to keep in view of the national interest.

At the same time, the prime minister said he also managed to " reduce" some of the constraints that were coming in the way of harnessing India's ambitious nuclear energy program during his historic visit to the US recently.

"In the next 10 years, in addition to the 150,000-megawatt capacity being added in the thermal and hydro sectors, another 40, 000-megawatt capacity could be generated through nuclear energy," Manmohan Singh said.

"Shortage of electricity is still a major inconvenience. Electricity is an essential ingredient of economic development. We need to ensure that electricity generation grows rapidly and that power shortages are eliminated."

The prime minister also promised electricity for 20 million households in the country through his grand India rejuvenation program targeted at the rural areas.

Source: Xinhua