India- Afghanistan bilateral ties: In a significant development for India after India took a diplomatic move and upgraded its technical mission in Kabul to a full embassy, signaling a revitalized engagement with Afghanistan, the Afghan Taliban government has expedited the TAPI (Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India) pipeline, an inter-country pipeline which is very important for India in terms of enhancing India's energy security.
Aimed at deepening bilateral ties between the two countries, India upgraded its technical mission in Kabul to a full embassy, a move which was swiftly met with a positive response from the Taliban government. As a gesture towards India-Afghanistan bilateral ties, Deputy Prime Minister Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar visited the TAPI gas pipeline project, underscoring its importance.
What is the TAPI (Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India) pipeline?
The TAPI (Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India) pipeline is viewed with utmost significance from Inian authorities as it is a potential game-changer for India. After the project gets completed , the TAPI (Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India) pipeline will provide a direct source of natural gas, thus solidifying India's growing energy demands for power generation and industry.
Why is the TAPI pipeline so important for India?
Due to its significance for India, the project is labeled as "bridge of trust" as it strengthens regional cooperation in Asia. For India, the pipeline offers strategic benefits beyond energy, solidifying its political and economic influence in Central and South Asia. Therefore, the embassy in Kabul will enable more robust Indian involvement in Afghanistan's development, creating a stable framework for infrastructure projects like TAPI.
When will TAPI project get completed?
Currently, work on TAPI is progressing and according to Afghan reports, 14 km of pipeline is complete within Afghanistan, with materials supplied from Turkmenistan, whose president has reaffirmed the project as a top priority. Thus, the renewed momentum in the India-Afghanistan bilateral ties marks a critical step towards regional economic integration, with India playing a central role.
