Question : TAPI Pipeline

a) whether India has participated in the ground-breaking ceremony for TAPI pipeline in Afghanistan recently to mark the beginning of formal round of talks amongst the participating countries on the said pipeline and if so, the details thereof along with the present status of the project;
b) whether the terms of the commercial contracts are yet to be negotiated among the participating countries and if so, the details thereof;
c) whether India’s participation in the project has been lacklustre due to Pakistan’s involvement ever since the project was envisaged and the Government seems to be pondering over the strategy on its participation in the project;
d) if so, the details thereof and the reaction of the Government thereto; and
e) whether the security issues were also discussed during the summit/said ceremony and if so, the details thereof?

MINISTER OF PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS (SHRI DHARMENDRA PRADHAN)
(a) The Ground breaking Ceremony for Afghan leg of TAPI pipeline was held on 23rd February, 2018 at Serhetabad, Turkmenistan. The ceremony was attended by Presidents of Turkmenistan and Afghanistan, Prime Minister of Pakistan and Shri M.J. Akbar, Minister of State for External Affairs of India.
During the ceremony all four countries reiterated their commitment to the TAPI Pipeline Project. The TAPI Pipeline Company Limited (TPCL) was incorporated in 2014. The 25th Steering Committee meeting was also held at Mary, Turkmenistan and TPCL informed that progress on the project, including engaging of M/s ILF Beratende Ingenieure for Project Management and FEED Consultancy Services for the Afghanistan – Pakistan section of the Pipeline. The FEED Contract inauguration in Pakistan portion of the pipeline was held on 03rd March, 2017. Asian Development Bank (ADB), the Transaction Advisor (TA) of the Project, has appointed M/s Penspen, UK, for preliminary Technical Feasibility Study.
(b) The Share Holders Agreement of TPCL was signed by the four member countries on 13th December 2015 with Turkmenistan 85%, India 5%, Pakistan 5% and Afghanistan 5% Shareholding.
(c) & (d) The Turkmenistan – Afghanistan – Pakistan (TAP) project was announced in May 2002. India joined the consortium in 2008. In 2014, TPCL was incorporated. All the four countries are committed for the completion of the TAPI Project. During the 23rd February 2018 ground breaking ceremony held at Turkmenistan-Afghanistan border, India reaffirmed its commitment to the project.
(e) As per the Inter-Governmental Agreement, signed on 11th December 2010 among the four participating countries, the Parties have guaranteed the security and safety of that part of the TAPI Pipeline crossing their respective territories.
*******