Launch of TAPI is first step towards fulfilling the vision of an economically integrated region: Vice President
Launch of TAPI is first step
towards fulfilling the vision of an economically integrated region: Vice
President
Addresses Groundbreaking Ceremony of the TAPI Gas Pipeline Project
Addresses Groundbreaking Ceremony of the TAPI Gas Pipeline Project
The Vice President
of India, Shri M. Hamid Ansari has said that the launch of
Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) Gas Pipeline Project marks the
first step towards fulfilling the vision of an economically integrated region
stretching from the Bay of Bengal to the Caspian Sea. He was addressing at the
Groundbreaking Ceremony of the TAPI Gas Pipeline Project in Mary, Turkmenistan
today in the presence of the President of Turkmenistan, Mr. Gurbanguly
Berdimohamedov, the President of Afghanistan, Mr. Ashraf Ghani, the Prime
Minister of Pakistan, Mr. Nawaz Sharif and other dignitaries.
The Vice President
said that TAPI is not just a gas pipeline project, but a reflection of the
common desire of the four member countries to reconnect and a way to re-claim
the shared geography and revitalise an age-old legacy of our mutually enriching
interactions. The launch of TAPI also marks the first step towards fulfilling
the vision of an economically integrated region, he added.
The Vice President
said that we must be aware of the challenges that lie ahead and we must work
together to keep away the negative forces inimical to the success of the
project. We must recognise that the forces of violence and disruption can no
longer be allowed to threaten the quest for economic development and security
of our people, he added. The Vice President also said that we need to work
together to ensure the technical and commercial viability of the project in its
broadest sense and said that the international marketplace for energy works on
complex principles. However, given the widespread poverty that exists in our
countries, it is essential to ensure that we can make energy available at the
least possible cost to the largest sections of our people, he added.
Following is the
text of the Vice President’s address:
“Your
Excellency Mr. Gurbanguly Berdimohamedov, President of Turkmenistan,
Your Excellency Mr
Ashraf Ghani, President of Afghanistan,
Your Excellency Mr
Nawaz Sharif, Prime Minister of Pakistan,
Distinguished
Guests,
Ladies and
Gentlemen,
It is an honour
for me to represent India today at this historic Ground breaking ceremony for
the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) gas pipeline project.
This is indeed a
momentous occasion. TAPI is much more than a gas pipeline project for our
countries. It is a reflection of the common desire of the four member countries
to re-connect ourselves. We are seeking to re-claim our shared geography and
revitalise an age-old legacy of our mutually enriching interactions. The
launch of TAPI also marks the first step towards fulfilling the vision of an
economically integrated region stretching from the Bay of Bengal to the Caspian
Sea.
The fact that we
are doing so in the historic Silk Road city of Mary (Merv) is entirely
appropriate. It was here, centuries ago, that caravans carrying goods paused to
refresh themselves and thereby bestow on generations to come a colourful
tapestry of mutually beneficial exchanges. It was here that our ideas and
imaginations, spirituality and song, art and architecture met and mingled, and
a shared history was written.
In committing
ourselves to a shared future and to a vision of common prosperity, we are
moving beyond an alien script written in the ink of imperialism that has
prevented us from realising the fullest potential of our people and the region
so far. TAPI reflects our strong desire to put this chapter behind us and
stride confidently into the future.
So today, we
return to Mary, to write another chapter in our voyage through history.
Indeed, the idea of an economically integrated South and Central Asia is an
idea whose time has come.
President
Berdimuhamedov,
I fondly recall my
visit to Turkmenistan in 2008 and our discussions on India's participation in
the gas pipeline project. I thank you for your untiring leadership and the
strength of your commitment towards TAPI. It is largely due to your efforts
that we are now in a position to commence implementation of this project. I am
confident that we can rely on your continued support in the days ahead. Your
role has been and will be central to the success of TAPI.
I also wish to
thank President Ghani and Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif for their active
involvement. Your strong support for TAPI reflects your interest in securing
the economic future of the people of Afghanistan and Pakistan respectively. Your
personal commitment to the success of our common venture augurs well for the
entire region and for the people of all our countries.
I would also like
to place on record my appreciation for our Ministers and officials who have
worked hard to move the project forward. India’s young and dynamic Minister of
Petroleum and Natural Gas, Mr. Dharmendra Pradhan, who is with us today,
represents a new generation of India’s political leadership that is working
hard to build a prosperous future for the country.
Ladies and
gentlemen,
Even as we
celebrate the progress we have made on TAPI so far, we must be aware of the
challenges that lie ahead. We must work together with resolve to ensure that
negative forces inimical to the success of the project are addressed in an
appropriate manner. In doing so, we must recognise that the forces of violence
and disruption can no longer be allowed to threaten the quest for economic
development and security of our people. I am confident that with the active
engagement of all four governments, and the support of our international
partners, we can overcome such challenges.
We also need to
work together to ensure the technical and commercial viability of the project
in its broadest sense. The international marketplace for energy works on
complex principles. Often these are difficult to fathom. However, given the
widespread poverty that exists in our countries, it is essential to ensure that
we can make energy available at the least possible cost to the largest sections
of our people.
Energy is a
strategic commodity for us in our quest to provide a better future to our
citizens. Any uncertainty or disruption in supply will impact not only the
prospects of economic growth but also our human development objectives.
I wish to assure
you that India will take a constructive and cooperative approach towards
addressing issues related to the TAPI project. We are confident that all issues
can be addressed through a spirit of mutual accommodation and sharing of costs
and benefits.
Friends,
India’s
association with the TAPI project goes back almost a decade. It began as an
Observer country at the 9th Steering Committee Meeting in 2006.
In April 2008, India was formally admitted as a member of the Project. This was
just days after my visit to Turkmenistan and my talks with President
Berdimohamedov. Since then, India has been actively participating in all the
meetings and has been an active votary of the project.
Recently, during
the visit of Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi to Turkmenistan in July 2015,
both India and Turkmenistan had reaffirmed strong commitment towards timely
implementation of this strategic project for the common benefit of people of
the four countries.
Excellencies,
We are here today
as partners in a new journey of hope and progress. We cannot limit our
aspirations by the narrow views of a few misguided elements or afford to live
in the shadow of global power equations. We must seize opportunities as they
arise and lay the foundations of shared progress. TAPI is a manifestation of
such an historic opportunity. I am confident that if we work on the basis of a common
vision and shared prosperity, we will be successful in realising a
path-breaking project that will be of immense benefit to our future
generations.
Thank you.”
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