India, Pak to sign US $7 billion gas pipeline deal

[SpArK]

India, Pak to sign US $7 billion gas pipeline deal​

October 18, 2010
Geneva: India, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Turkmenistan will sign an agreement in December to build a 1,800 km long trans-border gas pipeline estimated to cost US $7 billion.

"A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed recently between the four countries - India, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Turkmenistan - and it will be operationalised by their leaders when they meet in December," Eklil Ahmad Hakimi, deputy foreign minister of Afghanistan, told reporters on Monday.

The proposed project will supply gas from the resource-rich Central Asia to energy-starved South Asia.

"This is a huge project involving energy cooperation between Central Asia and South Asia," the Afghan minister said, suggesting that the 1800 km underground pipeline will create employment for 20,000 people in his country now facing enormous security threats.

Hakimi, who is participating in an international meeting on regional cooperation in Central Asia, including sustainable development of Afghanistan.

He also mentioned about peace talks that are currently underway in Rome today, saying terrorism is not originating from Afghanistan.

US special representative for Afghanistan Richard Holbrooke and General David Petraeus and the Afghan Foreign Minister Zalmai Rassoul are talking part in these talks.

Meanwhile, the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe along with ESCAP has convened a two-day meeting on how to speed-up regional cooperation in Central Asia, particularly in generating economic development in Afghanistan.

"Whereas little can be achieved without a minimum level of security, any progress made on the security front would be short-lived without being buttressed by a development effort to allow Afghanistan to build a sustainable future," said Andrey Vasilyev, UNECE deputy executive secretary.

In a background paper prepared for the meeting, the UNECE maintained that without neglecting the decisive importance of the security dimension, it is imperative to focus on the "civilian development effort".

Countries in Central America are land-locked pursuing divergent paths of economic development are facing a huge security challenge.

"Threats to Central Asia from Afghanistan have a regional dimension," said the UN official, suggesting that instability from Afghanistan spills over into bordering countries such as Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and Turkmensitan.




Read more at: India, Pak to sign US $7 billion gas pipeline deal

 

[Evil Flare]

Unclesam's magic

 

[Abhishek_]

good thing it is underground now. it should provide somewhat better security to the installation.
Need to wait on the pricing structure, it caused a lot of heartburn last time around.

The more India and Pakistan can become interdependent, the better for our relations. I am definitely hoping this project becomes operational.

 

[Capt.Popeye]

India, Pak to sign US $7 billion gas pipeline deal​

October 18, 2010
Geneva: India, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Turkmenistan will sign an agreement in December to build a 1,800 km long trans-border gas pipeline estimated to cost US $7 billion.

"A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed recently between the four countries - India, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Turkmenistan - and it will be operationalised by their leaders when they meet in December," Eklil Ahmad Hakimi, deputy foreign minister of Afghanistan, told reporters on Monday.

The proposed project will supply gas from the resource-rich Central Asia to energy-starved South Asia.

"This is a huge project involving energy cooperation between Central Asia and South Asia," the Afghan minister said, suggesting that the 1800 km underground pipeline will create employment for 20,000 people in his country now facing enormous security threats.

Hakimi, who is participating in an international meeting on regional cooperation in Central Asia, including sustainable development of Afghanistan.

He also mentioned about peace talks that are currently underway in Rome today, saying terrorism is not originating from Afghanistan.

US special representative for Afghanistan Richard Holbrooke and General David Petraeus and the Afghan Foreign Minister Zalmai Rassoul are talking part in these talks.

Meanwhile, the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe along with ESCAP has convened a two-day meeting on how to speed-up regional cooperation in Central Asia, particularly in generating economic development in Afghanistan.

"Whereas little can be achieved without a minimum level of security, any progress made on the security front would be short-lived without being buttressed by a development effort to allow Afghanistan to build a sustainable future," said Andrey Vasilyev, UNECE deputy executive secretary.

In a background paper prepared for the meeting, the UNECE maintained that without neglecting the decisive importance of the security dimension, it is imperative to focus on the "civilian development effort".

Countries in Central America are land-locked pursuing divergent paths of economic development are facing a huge security challenge.

"Threats to Central Asia from Afghanistan have a regional dimension," said the UN official, suggesting that instability from Afghanistan spills over into bordering countries such as Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and Turkmensitan.




Read more at: India, Pak to sign US $7 billion gas pipeline deal

There are 4 countries mentioned at the beginning. A 5th country is not mentioned. IMO, it has the most important role in the enterprise. Firstly, in having conceived of it. Secondly, it will build it. Thirdly, it will run it. And some more........

So how does the role of that 5th country impinge upon the role and interests of the 4 co-partners ?
That is a very intriguing question that springs to my mind.

Another question. How does this enterprise impact/affect some other (neighbouring) countries who are not (probably) part of this deal ?

Any thoughts, folks?
@BENNY- what is your take on this?

 

[somebozo]

What happened to India's super duper marvelous miraculous indigenous plan of laying under-ocean indigenous gas pipeline made of indigenous space age composites??

After all the Pakistani bashing, every one have their fun of kneeling down be it NATO, USA or India. The strategic location of Pakistan will always be in enemy crosshair.

 

[SpArK]

What happened to India's super duper marvelous miraculous indigenous plan of laying under-ocean indigenous gas pipeline made of indigenous space age composites??

After all the Pakistani bashing, every one have their fun of kneeling down be it NATO, USA or India. The strategic location of Pakistan will always be in enemy crosshair.

Turkmenistan has sea now???

 

[Coltsfan]

What happened to India's super duper marvelous miraculous indigenous plan of laying under-ocean indigenous gas pipeline made of indigenous space age composites??

After all the Pakistani bashing, every one have their fun of kneeling down be it NATO, USA or India. The strategic location of Pakistan will always be in enemy crosshair.

I believe under ocean pipeline was for access to Iran's natural gas.

Kneeling down to check pulse of Pakistan, whether it is dead or alive?

Back to Topic,

It is a positive development indeed, however it will be target # 1 of state sponsored terrorists in Afghanistan.

Some development in positive direction is better than none I guess though.

 

[1000VA]

What happened to India's super duper marvelous miraculous indigenous plan of laying under-ocean indigenous gas pipeline made of indigenous space age composites??

After all the Pakistani bashing, every one have their fun of kneeling down be it NATO, USA or India. The strategic location of Pakistan will always be in enemy crosshair.

Hello Boss this project was always there... and it started way back in 2005-06.If you are aware of this project now, then just give a thanks to the poster and keep your mouth close.Pls Don't troll here.
India, Turkmenistan to discuss gas pipeline project in May
India to join Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan gas pipeline
Gas pipeline project Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India approved

 

[1000VA]

I believe under ocean pipeline was for access to Iran's natural gas.

Kneeling down to check pulse of Pakistan, whether it is dead or alive?

Back to Topic,

It is a positive development indeed, however it will be target # 1 of state sponsored terrorists in Afghanistan.

Some development in positive direction is better than none I guess though.

Coltsfan,
India never showed interest in Iran pipeline project after US,European and Israels objections.It's the Iran Gvt. gave us the option of under sea pipeline and we rejected that offer to sign this deal.

 

[Hyde]

But its price tariff is yet to be finalized right? what is the purpose of signing an agreement if the same nations will be arguing once again, if the tariff did not suit Pakistan or India?

BTW, both nations are in dire need of gas so its a great step that will rise our country's economy to leap and bounds

Good decision overall

 

[Anonymous_Clown]

Bad move. I was never in favour of this pipeline business. If someone blows himself up on the pipeline for the Khidmat of Jeehad, who will take responsibility? Not to mention the fact that we are simply giving them a blackmail tool!

 

[kak1978]

What happened to India's super duper marvelous miraculous indigenous plan of laying under-ocean indigenous gas pipeline made of indigenous space age composites??

After all the Pakistani bashing, every one have their fun of kneeling down be it NATO, USA or India. The strategic location of Pakistan will always be in enemy crosshair.

This is how blind people have become trying to bash India on anything. The under sea pipeline idea was for Iran's gas. Turkmenistan is land locked except for Caspian Sea which in itself is land locked.

 

[PAKFA]

PPP govt. is working for India.

 

[DESERT FIGHTER]

PPP govt. is working for India.

Or the other wat around? saw indians ranting tht india wont get involve in this project and now this?

 

[Spring Onion]

India was always willing to join TAPI gas line. US had always pushed for it as compared to IPI.