Editorial
TAPI is meant to export up to 33 billion cubic meters (bcm) of natural gas per year to the connected countries. The pipeline is considered to be a ‘golden opportunity for a country like Afghanistan where the lawlessness and sheer poverty have caused huge disparities. The pipeline will bring along jobs, new avenues of work, and hence prosperity and development throughout the barren region of Afghanistan.
The pipeline project is much anticipated as it will entangle the countries into peace politics which is a rare show of cooperation between Pakistan and India and Pakistan and Afghanistan. Commendable developments have been observed recently on Asia’s harbinger of peace and prosperity line, the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India(TAPI) natural gas pipeline where the groundbreaking ceremonies were organized in border cities of both Afghanistan and Turkmenistan.
With the presence of Prime Minister of Pakistan Mr. Shahid Khaqan Abbasi and President of Afghanistan Mr. Ashraf Ghani and officials from India, the inauguration was held for this multibillion-dollar 1,814-kilometer gas pipeline that will bring hope to the energy demands of Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, and beyond.
The first part of the launch was in Turkmenistan in its ancient city of Mery and was followed by a second ceremony in the Afghanistan province of Herat. Turkmenistan holds the world’s fourth-largest natural gas reserves and the long-awaited pipeline was in the doldrums since its conception as a result of the instability in Afghanistan. As a result, there is a strong consensus of having the pipeline heavily guarded through the war-torn Afghanistan.
The geostrategic significance of any state has remained a key factor in shaping foreign relations and partnerships in the contemporary world order. Prime Minister (PM) Shahid Khaqan Abbassi, along with his high officials was the first high-level foreign dignitary to visit Nepal. Nepalese PM Oli is seen as a pro-China which is a significant factor for Pakistan to develop closer relations with Nepal.
One of the common denominators between Nepal and Pakistan relations is their commonality of having a dependency on regional and international actors based on their geostrategic importance. The geographical position of Nepal and the Indian influence of the country have remained restricted so far to bring the two countries closer. Keeping in view the geographical proximity of Pakistan and Nepal, the linkage between the countries remained distant but cordial.
We have observed the continuation of the leadership in two great powers i.e. in the People’s Republic of China and the Russian Federation. In China, the Parliament abolished Presidential limits and gave President Xi Jinping the right to rule over China indefinitely as a President.
This amendment is one of the most important developments in international politics today given China’s increasing heft in the world order. With the new amendments, handling almost complete autonomy to President Xi to pursue a vision of transforming China into a global economic superpower by mid-century.
While on the other hand, Presidential elections were held in Russia wherein President Putin won the elections. President Putin will lead the country for the next six-year. President Putting is the longest-serving leader in the Russian political milieu and has put forward the slogan “a strong president, a strong Russia’.
During his taking over as President, we have seen remarkable steering of the entire Russian economy, politics, and strategic dimension towards becoming a competing and dominating world great power. During his last term, President Putin was able to decouple his popularity rate from an economic wealth of the growth of Russia.
After securing power again the ‘strong man’ of Russia, Putin is expected to continue with minor changes in provisions of trying to rebuild Moscow as a global power at the same time while limiting economic reforms at home. The win has also given President Putin a renewed confidence to stand up against the West.
Both countries will continue their resolve and outreach to the global power dynamics with full zest and zeal. For Pakistan, as it is enjoying a deep-rooted relationship with both of the states and this development is a remarkable sign for the country to build further cooperation in diverse levels.
The Diplomatic Insight is a digital and print magazine focusing on diplomacy, defense, and development publishing since 2009.
