From Turkmenistan to India: the strategic importance of TAPI project
On Friday, February 23, the solemn ceremony of launching the construction of Afghanistan section of the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India gas pipeline project (TAPI) was held.
The historical event took place on the border between the Turkmen region of Serhetabat and the Afghan province of Herat with the participation of the President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, the President of Afghanistan Ashraf Ghani, the Prime Minister of Pakistan Shahid Abbasi, and the State Minister of Foreign Affairs of India Mobashar Akbar.
The plan for the implementation of the TAPI project existed long before the first steps for the construction of the gas pipeline and was in the limelight of all the states of the region, as it had enormous significance for the energy security of Asia.
Thanks to the efforts of Turkmenistan, the project has moved to a practical level, laying the foundation for strategically important steps to stabilize the situation in Afghanistan and providing energy to the growing economies of Pakistan and India.
The end point of the gas pipeline route – Fazilka settlement on the border between Pakistan and India, is looking forward to the first inflow of Turkmen “blue fuel”, because this district on the Indus River will consume more than 145 billion cubic meters of natural gas annually by 2040, according to estimates of BP Transnational Oil and Gas Company.
Today, India consumes more than 50 billion cubic meters of natural gas per year, and this figure will grow by 4.5 percent annually. Recently, the country’s production of “blue fuel” is 32 billion cubic meters, and gas output will be increased up to 51 billion cubic meters by 2040.
Thus, India will be in need to purchase about 94 billion cubic meters of natural gas in 22 years, which will make the country one of the main importers of fuel in the world. The TAPI with its annual capacity of 33 billion cubic meters will allow India to have a significant inflow of energy resources and diversify the sources of their imports.
Speaking about the importance of the TAPI project on the laying of the Afghan section of the gas pipeline, the head of the Indian Foreign Ministry reminded that today at the territory of his country the mausoleum of Abdyrahim Khan – the son of the great general of Bayram Khan of Turkmen – is located. According to legends, he was known for his nobility and ability to share his wealth, which inspired people to do good acts.
In this poetic image, Mobashar Akbar sees modern Turkmenistan, which possesses countless natural riches and, at the same time, shares them for universal peace and prosperity.
