(a) whether India has approached Turkmenistan seeking to include them as another supply source from West;
(b) if so, the details in this regard;
(c) whether earlier India had turned down Asian Development Bank’s offer to participate in Turkmenistan, Afghanistan and Pakistan pipeline project;
(d) if so, the reasons therefor;
(e) whether Ministry of Petroleum has initiated steps for holding conversations with these countries; and
(f) if so, the details thereof?
MINISTER OF PETROLEUM & NATURAL GAS AND PANCHAYATI RAJ (SHRI MANI SHANKAR AIYAR)
(a): No, Sir.
(b): Does not arise.
(c) & (d): India had not responded to the proposal of Asian Development Bank for participation in Turkmenistan, Afghanistan and Pakistan pipeline project mainly owing to security concerns and the geo-political situation prevailing at the time.
(e) & (f): Recently, a high level Afghanistan delegation visited India. The issue of bilateral cooperation in the hydrocarbon sector was discussed with the Afghanistan side. Afghanistan also expressed keenness in India’s participation in the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan (TAP) gas pipeline project. The ADB have invited India to send observers to the forthcoming 8th meeting of the Steering Committee in Islamabad in April, 2005. India will be represented.