Turkmenistan, Ashgabat, Oct. 30 /Trend H. Hasanov/
The Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India gas pipeline project (TAPI) is meant to ensure our countries' energy security, Indian President Pranab Mukherjee's letter to Turkmen President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov said.
"I am pleased to note our fruitful cooperation in the implementation of the TAPI project which is meant to ensure the energy security of our countries," the letter said.
The letter was sent on the occasion of celebrating the 22nd anniversary of Turkmenistan's independence.
'Turkmenistan under your wise leadership has reached high frontiers in economic development. I am sure that the friendly relations between Turkmenistan and India based on common human heritage and a mutually beneficial relationship will flourish', the letter said.
The Ashgabat interstate agreement of the member state on commencement of the practical implementation of the TAPI project signed in 2010 serves as the basic document for promotion of the project.
In May 2012, the Turkmen government signed an agreement for the sale and purchase of natural gas with India's GAIL Ltd. and State Gas Systems of Pakistan.
A corresponding agreement was signed with Afghanistan in July, 2013.
At this stage a legal framework has been created for addressing issues related to the formation of a TAPI consortium which will provide financing and construction of the power line.
The design capacity of TAPI is 33 billion cubic meters of natural gas per year. The estimated length reaches 1735 kilometres. It is expected that the pipeline will extend from the largest gas field in Turkmenistan 'Galkhynysh' through the Afghan cities of Herat and Kandagar to the Fazilka settlement on the Pakistani-Indian border.