India committed to implementing TAPI Project by 2017

President Pranab Mukherjee said India is fully committed to implementing the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) Project by August 2017.

During his interaction with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Turkmenistan Rashid Meredov at Rashtrapati Bhavan here on Monday, Mr. Mukherjee said India is deficient in energy resources, whereas Turkmenistan is rich in hydrocarbon resources.

“Our common endeavour should be to build enduring ties between our two friendly countries, based on a long-term energy partnership. This project is mutually beneficial for economic reasons. It is also important for bringing peace and development to our common region,” he told the visiting dignitary.

Welcoming Mr. Meredov, Mr. Mukherjee said India highly values its warm, friendly and historically close ties with Turkmenistan.

He said the visit of President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov to India in May 2010 has given a strong impetus to the strengthening of bilateral ties and since that visit, the TAPI gas line Project has made significant progress.