Astana (TDI): Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Energy announced on Wednesday that its state-run company “Kazakhgas” is in talks to join the Turkmenistan, Afghanistan, Pakistan and India (TAPI) gas pipeline.
In a statement, the ministry said that Kazakhgas was negotiating with “Turkmen Gas” to join the project.
Read More: Afghanistan Kicks Off TAPI Pipeline Construction
“It is strategically important for Kazakhstan to realize this project, as the removal of the Taliban from the list of terrorist organizations has not yet fully met the expectations of the country’s government,” the ministry said.
It added that the country was building transportation links with Turkmenistan along the “Turgundi–Herat–Kandahar–Spin-Buldak” route.
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It should be noted that Afghanistan officially launched the construction phase the TAPI gas pipeline in December 2024.
Crucial materials and equipment have been delivered to the border areas between Afghanistan and Turkmenistan, enabling work to begin on the Afghan stretch of the pipeline, The Times of Central Asia reported citing local media.
Stretching across 1,814 kilometres, the TAPI pipeline will see 774 kilometres traverse Afghan territory.
Once completed, the pipeline is set to transport 33 billion cubic meters of natural gas annually, promising substantial economic benefits for the region.