Indian Government joined the TAPI project in the year 2012 and recently signed the ‘Gas Sales and Purchase agreement’ along with other participating countries
1800 km
Will be completed in 2020
Contract for 30 years
India to receive 30mmscd out of 90
That is a quarter of India’s current requirement ( 150 mmscd)
From Gasklynsh fields in Turkmenistan
2nd largest gas reservoir in the world
India will pay Pak a transit fees. Similarly, Pak will pay Afghanistan a transit fees
Finally, it reaches Fazilka in Punjab
Issue
Security
Passes through Afghan and Balochistan (Quetta) of Pak
International consortium not willing
Pipeline from Russia Proposed
ONGC stake in Khazakastan
Nuclear
Khazakastan
Space
Baikanour
Can be a market of IT products, manufacturing, etc
Normal issues – UNSC, NSG, Trade talks, Climate,
Issues
Chinese OBOR
Land Locked
Limited Trade
Steps
SCO
Ashbagat
INSTC
Chabahar
Shanghai cooperation organisation (sco)
India was an observer from 2005 the multilateral grouping.
Total 8 members now – India, China Russia Pakistan Kazakhstan Uzbekistan Tajikistan Kyrgyzstan
focus areas- MILLITARY COLLABORATION connectivity, counter terrorism, energy sector, increasing trade, drug trafficking
Other details
Founded in 2001 in Shanghai by the leaders of China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. These countries, except for Uzbekistan, had been members of the Shanghai Five, founded in 1996; after the inclusion of Uzbekistan in 2001, the members renamed the organisation.
The SCO is seen as a counter to the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO).
its affiliates account for about half of the world’s population.
The SCO has established relations with the United Nations, where it is an observer in the General Assembly, the European Union, Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), the Commonwealth of Independent States and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation.
It also has Afghanistan, Iran, Mongolia as observers, and Belarus, Sri Lanka and Turkey as dialogue partners.
Benefits to India
Allows India greater access to central Asia- minerals, oil, expert market
Solidifies plans to build trade routes to Russia via Chahbar port in Iran – INSTC, Ashbagat
Politically, a balance against the pro -US tilt
With SAARC, RCEP and now SCO , India can have economic treaties with almost the entire Asia
Forum to check against spread of terrorism
All the benefits of Central Asia
Plus, a platform for India Pak to engage with – as seen in UFA talks
