Taliban leaders discuss TAPI gas pipeline, mining projects

[FOOLS_NIGHTMARE]

TAPI gas pipeline project was once of crucial interest to India in securing substantial gas supplies through the land route

The Taliban has called for talks with all countries and has held a detailed meeting with Turkmenistan on reviving the TAPI gas pipeline project which was once of crucial interest to India in securing substantial gas supplies through the land route.

“The IEA (Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan) wants good relations with countries of the world. If anyone has an issue with us, we are ready to resolve it through talks and understanding,” said the Taliban’s Deputy Prime Minister Mullah Abdul Ghani Biradar in a statement on Friday.

Seeking to address global anxieties on Afghanistan becoming a crucible for radical extremism, Baradar said, “We neither intend nor have the policy to harm others.”

A day earlier, Foreign Minister Maulvi Amir Khan Muttaqi replied to concerns of a Pashtun-dominated government by assuring them that the Taliban wanted to “open a new political chapter in good governance at home and in regional and global relations”. He was addressing mostly ambassadors in Kabul at a luncheon.

The Taliban has inducted no woman but three traders from Uzbek, Hazara and Tajik (Panjshir) ethnicities as deputy ministers in a cabinet expansion. The world largely saw the Taliban’s signal of inclusiveness as inadequate.

In a reference to its claims to be Afghanistan’s legitimate government, Muttaqi said, “The Kabul Administration exists no more and IEA has all components of a government.”

The Taliban has already applied to the UN for the nomination of its representative as the Afghan Permanent Representative at New York.

So far, only a small group of countries and UN aid organisations have interacted with the Taliban. These include the Ambassador of Turkmenistan in Kabul Hoja Ofzov with whom Muttaqi discussed TAPI projects in detail, said Taliban spokesman Suhail Shaheen.

Significantly for India, which is interested in Afghanistan’s mineral deposits, the Taliban have highlighted its meetings with traders and industrialists associated with the mining sector. The previous regime had allocated three iron ore mines in Bamyan district to a SAIL-led consortium while China was allocated a copper mine near Kabul. China has hosted Taliban leaders in Beijing and its Ambassador in Kabul Wang Yu frequently interacts with the top leadership.

Taliban leaders discuss TAPI gas pipeline, mining projects - The Tribune

Tribune News Service New Delhi, October 1 The Taliban has called for talks with all countries and has held a detailed meeting with Turkmenistan on reviving the TAPI gas pipeline project which was once of crucial interest to India in...

www.tribuneindia.com

 

[FuturePAF]

Mongolia with its natural resources, balanced mining contracts between China, Russia, the US, and others. A similar strategy could see a fast track to recognition.

https://www.eastwestcenter.org/sites/default/files/filemanager/washington/EWC_campi_presentation_prepared_remarks.pdf

Also, If they can ensure tight security for this pipeline and trucks carrying trade between the countries on their border, investors could put up the money for two key rail lines (which would cut shipping costs by approx 73%; probably even more considering the condition of Afghan roads).

Comparing the Costs of Rail Shipping vs Truck - RSI Logistics

Comparing the costs of rail shipping vs truck can help you make the most cost-effective logistics decisions. Let's break down the costs.

www.rsilogistics.com

A route from Peshawar to Termez in Uzbekistan would complete the link to Khorgos and the Chinese rail network, allowing Chinese goods to move by rail down to Karachi, and Pakistani goods like food to move up to China, fast enough that it doesn’t spoil, like fruits or meats. A second route from Quetta to Turkmenistan would allow the fastest route to Europe by Rail for Pakistan and make Gwadar a more viable trans-shipment port (especially for good from Central Asia and even Siberia looking for the fastest economical route to African markets for its Wheat).

that “Russia has expanded its global market presence with rising exports to Africa, Southeast Asia, and some countries in the Western Hemisphere.”

“Russia has become a major competitor to all other wheat exporting countries,” the FAS said. “One of the key challenges is with respect to infrastructure. There is an acute need to advance the throughput of grain elevators and yet with the current pace of investment, this would take several years. Until then, moving grain internally remains a challenge, especially for various types of rail cars and trains.”

Source: https://www.world-grain.com/articles/14975-focus-on-russia

Each of these line through Afghanistan will cost approx. $5 Billion. If the Talibs guard these routes heavily they can earn substantial transit income. But it if all comes down to investor confidence of security and good governance; an inclusive setup the world can work with, which is needed because the proposed rail lines are expected (by the Uzbeks) to be funded by the World Bank.

btw, if this route is build two line to Quetta from main line 1 needs to be built, one from Southern Punjab (through Multan (so it can also carry fuel in case of a jump in demand), where the TAPI pipeline is expected to pass on its way to India) to Quetta to create a faster corridor and redundancy from the Punjab plains to Quetta. The second from Gwadar direct to Quetta. The link from Sukkur can handle the traffic From Karachi. The Southern Punjab rail link to Quetta would be the fastest route from Main Line 1 and Lahore to Quetta and on to Europe. This would be enticing to Indian investors looking to ship goods to Europe, and could be the basis using trade to get India to resolve issues with Pakistan, rather then their North/South Corridor idea through Iran.

Freight Rail & Grain | Association of American Railroads

The United States is the world’s top grain producer and freight rail helps move that grain to market domestically and abroad.

www.aar.org

!

Pakistan, Uzbekistan discuss cargo train service through Afghanistan | TNS World

tns.world

Pakistan, Afghanistan & Uzbekistan Agree 573km Connecting Railway - Silk Road Briefing

Trans-Afghan Railway To Provide Links From Russia, Uzbekistan Through Pakistan To The Arabian Gulf Pakistan, Uzbekistan, and Afghanistan have agreed to a roadmap for the building of a 573-kilometer route from Mazar-e-Sharif to Peshawar, via Kabul. The project, at an estimated cost of US$5...

www.silkroadbriefing.com

TAPI is just one project the Talibs will need to revive if they want to build inter-dependencies and be seen as part of the solution for their neighbors. In which case their tight security against bandits and transit trade extortion will make them seem as a plus rather then a liability for investors.

But they key is the Mongolian model, the Talibs need to balance investors, especially in mining, so it doesn’t seem like one country is dominating or benefiting to the detriment of other countries. Just like the plan was for the World bank to fund the $5 Billion rail link between Peshawar and Uzbekistan, all deals should be evenly divided amongst the major investors and geo strategic blocks. Some mines to Chinese, some to Russians, some to Americans, some to Europeans, and sold to the Gulf Arabs; all these the “far away foreigners”. Focusing on transit links with all neighbors (especially the potentially hostile ones like Tajikistan and Iran) to make it more profitable for them to work with the Talibs then to undermine them. So a rail link, from Iran to Kandahar and on to Kabul could be build and possibly even financed by Iran, if they want to link to the two Pak-Central Asian lines.

BTW, a TAPI pipeline that goes by Quetta, could be the backbone of a IPI pipeline (Iran-Pak-India pipeline) and the Two pipelines could be extended to China

 

[Thorough Pro]

Why would be let india be part of anything that helps its economy in any way?

TAPI gas pipeline project was once of crucial interest to India in securing substantial gas supplies through the land route
View attachment 781243

The Taliban has called for talks with all countries and has held a detailed meeting with Turkmenistan on reviving the TAPI gas pipeline project which was once of crucial interest to India in securing substantial gas supplies through the land route.

“The IEA (Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan) wants good relations with countries of the world. If anyone has an issue with us, we are ready to resolve it through talks and understanding,” said the Taliban’s Deputy Prime Minister Mullah Abdul Ghani Biradar in a statement on Friday.

Seeking to address global anxieties on Afghanistan becoming a crucible for radical extremism, Baradar said, “We neither intend nor have the policy to harm others.”

A day earlier, Foreign Minister Maulvi Amir Khan Muttaqi replied to concerns of a Pashtun-dominated government by assuring them that the Taliban wanted to “open a new political chapter in good governance at home and in regional and global relations”. He was addressing mostly ambassadors in Kabul at a luncheon.

The Taliban has inducted no woman but three traders from Uzbek, Hazara and Tajik (Panjshir) ethnicities as deputy ministers in a cabinet expansion. The world largely saw the Taliban’s signal of inclusiveness as inadequate.

In a reference to its claims to be Afghanistan’s legitimate government, Muttaqi said, “The Kabul Administration exists no more and IEA has all components of a government.”

The Taliban has already applied to the UN for the nomination of its representative as the Afghan Permanent Representative at New York.

So far, only a small group of countries and UN aid organisations have interacted with the Taliban. These include the Ambassador of Turkmenistan in Kabul Hoja Ofzov with whom Muttaqi discussed TAPI projects in detail, said Taliban spokesman Suhail Shaheen.

Significantly for India, which is interested in Afghanistan’s mineral deposits, the Taliban have highlighted its meetings with traders and industrialists associated with the mining sector. The previous regime had allocated three iron ore mines in Bamyan district to a SAIL-led consortium while China was allocated a copper mine near Kabul. China has hosted Taliban leaders in Beijing and its Ambassador in Kabul Wang Yu frequently interacts with the top leadership.

Taliban leaders discuss TAPI gas pipeline, mining projects - The Tribune

Tribune News Service New Delhi, October 1 The Taliban has called for talks with all countries and has held a detailed meeting with Turkmenistan on reviving the TAPI gas pipeline project which was once of crucial interest to India in...

www.tribuneindia.com

 

[cloud4000]

Given the state of Indo-Pak relations, India would not pursue either IPI or TAPI. You don't want to let your enemy have the ability to choke your energy pipeline.

 

[Chhatrapati]

Why would be let india be part of anything that helps its economy in any way?

The only benefit for any corridor connecting Central Asia to India is for Central Asians. Because of the consumption and as long as Pakistan think it'll benefit India, personally, I'm happy. Why should Pakistan of all countries benefit from transit. Most of Indias trade is through Sea anyway. Central Asia is sparsely populated and their combined purchasing power is 10 times less than that of India.

 

[Maula Jatt]

The only benefit for any corridor connecting Central Asia to India is for Central Asians. Because of the consumption and as long as Pakistan think it'll benefit India, personally, I'm happy. Why should Pakistan of all countries benefit from transit. Most of Indias trade is through Sea anyway. Central Asia is sparsely populated and their combined purchasing power is 10 times less than that of India.

Cheaper gas?
Cheaper oil?
Not exporting to thier market, just getting thier energy resources, which through a pipeline can be cheap

 

[Thorough Pro]

buzz off

The only benefit for any corridor connecting Central Asia to India is for Central Asians. Because of the consumption and as long as Pakistan think it'll benefit India, personally, I'm happy. Why should Pakistan of all countries benefit from transit. Most of Indias trade is through Sea anyway. Central Asia is sparsely populated and their combined purchasing power is 10 times less than that of India.

 

[hydrabadi_arab]

Given the state of Indo-Pak relations, India would not pursue either IPI or TAPI. You don't want to let your enemy have the ability to choke your energy pipeline.

Its useless bargaining chip for Pakistan. Pak would rather earn $500m or $1b yearly in transit fee from India.

 

[Chhatrapati]

Cheaper gas?
Cheaper oil?
Not exporting to thier market, just getting thier energy resources, which through a pipeline can be cheap

Cheap? No. Convenient, yes. The TAPI pipeline deal looks dead, it'll cost around $10 billion if not more to lay pipelines through hostile territories with nobody coming to finance such a deal.

Export to Central Asia is negligible. We already export through Iran safely without passing through Afghanistan and yet its less than $2 B, quite expected of a region with encompassing some 75 million people. If that's what you call export I'd rather trade with Pakistan alone which have 3,4 times people and prospects.

The entire advantage of India's central asia access is quite the opposite way, and should be called Central Asia's access to Indian market.

 

[FuturePAF]

Why would be let india be part of anything that helps its economy in any way?

Incentivize good behavior. The reason they may consider joining a pipeline project now is still their need for energy resources at the cheapest price. If they don’t want to participate, TAPI could be come TAP and the pipeline extended to Karachi port or up to China. Same goes for the IPI pipeline, but in that case it would have to terminate in either India or China to make it financially viable, unless Pakistan wants to shoulder that cost, which it seems it doesn’t.

secondly, with all the rail infrastructure being built in India, a line or two to Central Asia is not primarily about central Asia (although they grow cheaper cotton), it is about transporting more time sensitive goods to Russia and Europe, and vis versa. Russia is a major wheat exporter. It could send wheat via rail directly to either Karachi (and on to Africa) or the Indian Market. All this if there is a $5 billion rail like between Peshawar and Uzbekistan. The Chinese have been upgrading rail lines in Central Asia. They wouldn’t be doing so unless they thought it was good business.

 

[Goenitz]

Cheap? No. Convenient, yes. The TAPI pipeline deal looks dead, it'll cost around $10 billion if not more to lay pipelines through hostile territories with nobody coming to finance such a deal.

Export to Central Asia is negligible. We already export through Iran safely without passing through Afghanistan and yet its less than $2 B, quite expected of a region with encompassing some 75 million people. If that's what you call export I'd rather trade with Pakistan alone which have 3,4 times people and prospects.

The entire advantage of India's central asia access is quite the opposite way, and should be called Central Asia's access to Indian market.

Connectivity brings prosperity.. Anyway, why you didn't consider China or Iran/Turkey connectivity to India, through roads? Then from C. Asia to Moscow. Plus, Gulf access to China.

I dream of a day when Iran can be connected to Gulf through under water tunnel

 

[magra]

TAPI gas pipeline project was once of crucial interest to India in securing substantial gas supplies through the land route
View attachment 781243

The Taliban has called for talks with all countries and has held a detailed meeting with Turkmenistan on reviving the TAPI gas pipeline project which was once of crucial interest to India in securing substantial gas supplies through the land route.

“The IEA (Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan) wants good relations with countries of the world. If anyone has an issue with us, we are ready to resolve it through talks and understanding,” said the Taliban’s Deputy Prime Minister Mullah Abdul Ghani Biradar in a statement on Friday.

Seeking to address global anxieties on Afghanistan becoming a crucible for radical extremism, Baradar said, “We neither intend nor have the policy to harm others.”

A day earlier, Foreign Minister Maulvi Amir Khan Muttaqi replied to concerns of a Pashtun-dominated government by assuring them that the Taliban wanted to “open a new political chapter in good governance at home and in regional and global relations”. He was addressing mostly ambassadors in Kabul at a luncheon.

The Taliban has inducted no woman but three traders from Uzbek, Hazara and Tajik (Panjshir) ethnicities as deputy ministers in a cabinet expansion. The world largely saw the Taliban’s signal of inclusiveness as inadequate.

In a reference to its claims to be Afghanistan’s legitimate government, Muttaqi said, “The Kabul Administration exists no more and IEA has all components of a government.”

The Taliban has already applied to the UN for the nomination of its representative as the Afghan Permanent Representative at New York.

So far, only a small group of countries and UN aid organisations have interacted with the Taliban. These include the Ambassador of Turkmenistan in Kabul Hoja Ofzov with whom Muttaqi discussed TAPI projects in detail, said Taliban spokesman Suhail Shaheen.

Significantly for India, which is interested in Afghanistan’s mineral deposits, the Taliban have highlighted its meetings with traders and industrialists associated with the mining sector. The previous regime had allocated three iron ore mines in Bamyan district to a SAIL-led consortium while China was allocated a copper mine near Kabul. China has hosted Taliban leaders in Beijing and its Ambassador in Kabul Wang Yu frequently interacts with the top leadership.

Taliban leaders discuss TAPI gas pipeline, mining projects - The Tribune

Tribune News Service New Delhi, October 1 The Taliban has called for talks with all countries and has held a detailed meeting with Turkmenistan on reviving the TAPI gas pipeline project which was once of crucial interest to India in...

www.tribuneindia.com

For work on TAPI to even start, Taliban led govt would need to be recognized by UN, India etc. India is not keen on recognizing this extremist group. Even TAP would be difficult, as pipeline laying work would require funds for which World Bank may need to pitch in, which they will not without US nod.

 

[Goenitz]

Mongolia with its natural resources, balanced mining contracts between China, Russia, the US, and others. A similar strategy could see a fast track to recognition.

 

[Chhatrapati]

Connectivity brings process.. Anyway, why you couldn't connect China or Iran/Turkey connectivity by India, through roads? Then from C. Asia to Moscow. Plus, Gulf access to China.

I dream of a day when Iran can be connected to Gulf through under water tunnel

Well the most important part for any connectivity is affordability and time. In the old days Silk road made sense, there wasn't many ships that could go all the way to Europe from South and East Asia. Since Cargo ships came in the cost of transportation has drastically reduced except maybe perishable goods, but freezers made even transport of perishable goods possible.
India is connected to the rest of the world through the Ocean where most of our trade happen. We share a border with China but we export through ships. Even in India it's cheaper to have interstate trade through waterways than road or rail.

The underwater tunnel will be 10X more expensive than a direct flight. You want to do it for the kicks of it going under water.

 

[Goenitz]

India is connected to the rest of the world through the Ocean where most of our trade happen.

I mean ship is the cheapest... I meant there, inland connectivity. Like from Chabahar to Tehran.. or from Doshenbe to Turkey or Iran or Pakistan.
The tunnel through pesian gulf means easy transport of goods, people and hajis/pilgrims.
Anyway, coruption/kickbacks are everywhere. I mean our people don't spare religion, defence, calamity, etc for that matter.