Turkmenistan’s neutrality helped its growth: Ansari

MARY, Turkmenistan- Leaders of Turkmenistan, Afghanistan, Pakistan and India during a ceremony in the Turkmen desert broke ground Sunday on a major pipeline that could help ease energy deficits in South Asia.

Asif said that in the 1990s, the Taliban government had also given security assurance of a similar gas pipeline constructed by American company Yonical, and he believes that they will not oppose TAPI project as well.

Observers have long termed the proposed projectas a “pipeline of regional peace” once completed because it could go a long way in bringing archrivals, India and Pakistan closer and promote stability in war-ravaged Afghanistan. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the five Central Asian countries recently, which was seen as India’s attempt at asserting itself in the region, and “connect” with Central Asia as an alternative to China’s Silk Road initiative that has now morphed into the “One Road, One Belt” policy.

Earlier this day, the Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif had arrived in the Mary city of Turkmenistan where he was received by President Gurbanguly Berdimohamedow on the airport.

Turkmenistan President Gurbanguly Berdimohamedov and other dignitaries, including Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif were present at the conference.

Russia’s Gazprom consortium had expressed interest in taking part in the project, the negotiations for which lasted more than 15 years, due to instability in Afghanistan and Pakistan, which is causing Western investors to shy away.

Through this inter-state pipeline, the Caspian Sea gas will be transported from Turkmenistan through Afghanistan into Pakistan and then to India.

However, uncertainty hangs over the costly and politically complex project.

With the completion of TAPI, he said the energy requirements of Pakistan would be met. It would be a “game changer” as the country would be able to get 1.3 billion cubic feet gas annually from it.

The prime minister said Pakistan seeks peace, progress and prosperity for all and determined to pursue the course of dialogue for resolution of outstanding disputes. The gas pipeline is to stretch from the largest Galkynysh gas field in Turkmenistan.

Speaking to reporters on board his plane as he returned from the Turkmenistan town of Mary where the gas pipeline will originate, Mr. Ansari said his meeting with Mr. Sharif had been “very cordial”.

Mr.Asadov delivered Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev’s greetings and congratulations to the government and people of Turkmenistan as the country celebrates 20th anniversary of worldwide recognition of its neutrality. Former Afghan President Hamid Karzai had informally committed up to 7,000 Afghan personnel for the job, and talks of an inter-governmental joint security task force for TAPI is also being mooted.