Today: 31 October 2025
24 January 2023
3 mins read

TAPI clears hurdles after Putin aide’s Kabul visit

Russia hints headway in TAPI gas pipeline project after Putin key aide visits Kabul..reports Asian Lite News

Putin’s Special Envoy Zamir Kabulov’s two-day visit to Kabul last week has fuelled a renewed push to revive the stalled project of Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) gas pipeline project. The project has been facing an uncertain future after the return of Taliban in Afghanistan, could finally see some progress in the coming months.

Even though the new regime in the Afghan capital gave signals that it remains keen to continue the work on TAPI project, which has already seen more lows than highs since the first TAPI Summit held in Ashgabat in December 2010, no efforts were made to show any progress on the ground.

“As the situation in Afghanistan stabilises, the participation of domestic economic operators in the construction and operation of the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India gas pipeline is possible,” the Russian Foreign Ministry said on Thursday while detailing the outcomes of high-ranking diplomat’s January 12-13 visit to Kabul.

Kabulov held consultations with Afghanistan’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Amir Khan Mottaki and other representatives of the Taliban leadership on an entire range of issues of bilateral relations, with an emphasis on the development of trade, economic, cultural, educational and humanitarian ties.

“The focus is on mutually beneficial cooperation in such sectors as energy, agriculture, transport, infrastructure, industry, mining, in particular the organisation of regular commercial deliveries of Russian fuel and agricultural products to Afghan companies,” stated the Russian Foreign Affairs Ministry.

Moscow maintained that the leadership of Afghanistan highly appreciates its efforts to assist the Afghan people in building a peaceful, independent and economically self-sufficient state.

Taliban, meanwhile, asserts that it remains firm on Afghanistan’s ambition of developing an energy partnership with Russia at a time when its energy giants like Gazprom have been hit by sanctions from the Western countries.

With a total length of approximately 1814 km – 214 km of which falls in Turkmenistan, 774 km through Afghanistan, and 826 km in the territory of Pakistan before reaching Fazilka in India’s Punjab – the mega TAPI gas pipeline project would connect Turkmenistan, one of the largest energy suppliers in the world, with the South Asian countries.

However, as reported by IndiaNarrative.com last year, India has made it clear that it is not just because of a “difficult neighbourhood” that work on the massive pipeline, which will have the capacity to transfer 33 billion cubic meters of gas per year, has been stalled.

“It is on record that India has some concerns about the commercial or the business aspect of the TAPI pipeline, and that is being discussed. GAIL is a stakeholder. So, let me simply put it that we have some concerns on the business principles, on the commercial side, apart from the logistical challenges which are very apparent,” Sanjay Verma, Secretary (West) in the Ministry of External Affairs, said just ahead of then President Ram Nath Kovind’s visit to Turkmenistan in April 2022.

Earlier this week, the CEO of the TAPI gas pipeline project Muhammetmyrat Amanov and Turkmenistan Ambassador to Kabul Khoja Ovezov held a series of meetings in Kabul with the representatives of the Taliban government’s Ministry of Interior Affairs, National Defence, and the Directorate General of Intelligence on security concept for the first phase of the project in Afghanistan.

They also met with the Afghan Acting Minister of Mines and Petroleum Shaikh Shahabuddin Delawar to discuss the commencement of the land acquisition process and development of gas distribution system in Herat province which will be the first phase of the TAPI project in Afghanistan.

The Taliban government reportedly assured the officials of TAPI project that it will do its best to ensure the full security of the project in the country.

ALSO READ-US designates Russia’s Wagner Group as ‘criminal organisation’

Previous Story

No support for NATO bid, Erdogan tells Sweden

Next Story

EU offers more military aid to Ukraine

Latest from -Top News

Sharjah sets sail for London

At World Travel Market (WTM) London 2025, Sharjah is set to highlight both its deep-rooted cultural identity and forward-looking tourism strategy, demonstrating the emirate’s growing influence in global travel and destination marketing…reports

DP World to pump $5bn into India

DP World’s $5bn pledge strengthens India’s maritime future, powering green shipping, ship-repair capacity, talent growth and next-gen freight tech while deepening the nation’s global trade role…reports Asian Lite News DP World has

UAE mega-aid ship docks in Egypt

The shipment, one of the largest single consignments dispatched as part of the UAE’s air and sea bridge, includes essential food items…reports Asian Lite News A UAE humanitarian vessel carrying more than

Arab bloc hails UAE’s efforts in Gaza

Arab Parliament lauds UAE’s major aid efforts in Gaza and urges unified global backing for reconstruction, Palestinian statehood and a lasting peace grounded in the Two-State framework…reports Asian Lite News The Speaker

Defence bridges rise as UAE General visits India

UAE Land Forces Chief’s New Delhi visit strengthens defence ties with India, deepening cooperation in technology, training and strategic planning through high-level talks, industry briefings and ceremonial engagements….reports Asian Lite News The
Go toTop

Don't Miss

UK, allies seek ban on Russia from sporting events

Paris 2024 organisers insisted at the beginning of the month

Ghani meets Blinken in Kabul

During the meeting held in the Afghan Presidential Palace on