Indian joins US-backed pipeline from Turkmenistan

India has signed an agreement to join a US$ 10 billion pipeline that will come all the way from Turkmenistan via Pakistan and Afghanistan.

India’s Oil minister Murli Deora joined the presidents of Pakistan, Turkmenistan and Afghanistan in Ashgabat, the Turkmen capital to sign the Inter-Governmental Agreement to join the US-backed pipeline project this weekend.

Deora said, "As a buyer, and being at the tail-end of the project, we have concerns that relate to the realities that surround us. Quite obviously, our goal is not merely the construction of the pipeline, but also continuous and uninterrupted flow of Turkman natural gas over several decades." India has agreed to accept the gas at the Turman-Afghan border and is relying on the international consortium behind the project to guarantee the pipelines security until it reaches Indian soil.

India was previously in negotiations with Pakistan and Iran about joining a pipeline, which would supply them with Iranian gas. However, in this instance India insisted that the gas was delivered to its border. Ongoing tensions with Pakistan no doubt contributed to the breakdown in relations; it is likely that the US backing for the pipeline, which will bypass Russia, has had a significant impact on their decision.

Read the article online at: https://www.worldpipelines.com/business-news/13122010/indian_joins_us-backed_pipeline_from_turkmenistan/