The Hindu: Modi Pushes for TAPI Project

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday pitched for early implementation of the $10-billion TAPI gas pipeline project during his talks with Turkmenistan President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov as both countries inked seven pacts to ramp up engagement in key areas, including defence.

During their comprehensive talks, both leaders resolved to step up efforts against cross-border threats of terrorism, organised crime and illegal drug-trafficking as they their reaffirmed their commitment for a stable Afghanistan.

The Prime Minister identified terrorism as a major threat facing the region and said, “We have shared interest in a peaceful and stable Afghanistan and Central Asia. We have also common purpose in combating terrorism and extremism in our region.”

Terming TAPI (Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India) project as a significant initiative in relationship between the two countries, Mr. Modi said he conveyed to Mr. Berdimukhamedov that multiple options including the possibility of land-sea route through Iran for the pipeline should be explored.

The TAPI gas project is an over 1,800-km pipeline with design capacity to supply 3.2 billion cubic feet of natural gas per annum from Turkmenistan to Afghanistan, Pakistan and India. MORE