US Believes TAPI Pipeline Project Can Transform the Region

Turkmenistan, Afghanistan, Pakistan and India (TAPI) gas pipeline has the potential to transform both South as well as Central Asia, feels the United States.

“The United States supports TAPI because we believe it has the potential to be transformative for the future of the entire region. The pipeline project is a true multinational effort and, if realised, can serve as an important example of the benefits of greater regional economic connectivity,” a State Department spokesperson told Press Trust of India.

The US urged the four countries to rope in an international energy company now to take the project forward.

Last week TAPI countries signed the operational agreement pertaining to the $7.6 billion pipeline project in Ashgabat

The spokesperson said the United States is pleased to see continuing progress on TAPI, and expressed hope the project can succeed if it is done on a commercially viable, economically-sustainable basis, Press Trust reported.

“We encourage the TAPI parties to bring an international energy company into the project to work in cooperation with Turkmengaz in the development of the gas supply and serve as commercial champion for the project,” the spokesperson said.