TAPI Pipeline Momentum Sputters Amid Berdymukhamedov's Afghan Visit

Turkmenistan's President Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov made a brief visit to Afghanistan on August 10, aiming to boost momentum for the long-stalled TAPI pipeline project.

The proposed $10 billion pipeline would carry natural gas from Turkmenistan through Afghanistan and Pakistan to India. However, construction has been slow, with only a 153-kilometer stretch from the Turkmen border to Herat in western Afghanistan reportedly complete.

Berdymukhamedov met with Afghan officials to discuss progress on the project, but specifics were scarce. A letter of intent was signed outlining basic terms for the shipment of Turkmen gas to Herat, including the possibility of a regional gas distribution network.

The most challenging details, pricing and supply volume, remain unresolved. Berdymukhamedov expressed interest in advancing other connectivity projects, such as a power transmission line and fiber-optic cable, but no agreements were reached during his visit.