ISLAMABAD:
The Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) gas pipeline project will bring Afghanistan, Pakistan and India much closer, Afghanistan’s minister for mines and petroleum Dr.Daud Saba believes.
“I believe TAPI is a pipeline of opportunities. The project is a major factor for promoting peace and stability in the region and boosting cooperation among the participating countries,” he told a private media outlet in Islamabad on Sunday. “I am confident that TAPI will lay the foundation for cordial relations between Pakistan, Afghanistan and India.”
Dr.Saba disagreed with the impression that the strained relationship between Pakistan and India could have a negative impact on the project. He said representatives of both countries were on the same wavelength during the February 11 TAPI steering committee meeting in Islamabad.
“During the meeting, I noticed that Pakistani and Indian officials were very close to each other,” the minister said. “Pakistan, Afghanistan and India had a similar approach on the project. The three countries have common interests.The route of the pipeline, along the Herat-Kandahar Highway, also lies in a secure and peaceful area,” he added.
“Thousands of vehicles laden with passengers and goods, use the highway and we have had no problem along the route.We will have a similar security model for TAPI. With the help of the Afghan people, we will ensure security for this project.”
The minister said all regional countries and major-multi-national institutions were interested in the project, as per footing the bill for the TAPI pipeline was concerned. According to reports, representatives of the Asian Development Bank attended the meeting.
To a question about the expected benefits for Afghanistan, Dr.Saba said TAPI will help meet the country’s energy requirements and create thousands of jobs, and the transit fee will help increase its foreign reserves. The gas will also boost Afghanistan’s industrial sector, he added.
According to Afghan officials, Kabul is scheduled to host the next TAPI steering committee meeting. Rafiullah Sediqi, spokesman for Afghanistan’s Ministry of Mines and Petroleum, told Azadi Radio in Kabul that the meeting is likely to take place in two months. He added that the date for the ground-breaking of the project will be announced at the end of the meeting.