Minister Dharmendra Pradhan visits Pakistan

Minister of State (I/C) for Petroleum & Natural Gas, Shri Dharmendra Pradhan attended 20th Steering Committee meeting of TAPI natural gas pipeline project in Islamabad today. Shri Pradhan reiterated India’s commitment to source natural gas from Turkmenistan through TAPI natural gas pipeline project and made a renewed pitch for the expeditious appointment of a mutually acceptable Consortium Leader, which is a vital step in the implementation of the project, in a time bound manner. He also articulated the need for the project to be a win-win proposition for all participating countries.

The very fact that India has had regular Ministerial representation at the TAPI Steering Committee Meeting bears testimony to the importance which has been attached by the government to this project despite the apprehensions regarding geo-political situation and security scenario involving the project.

Referring to the determination of Government under Hon’ble PM to develop a National Gas Grid, Shri Pradhan said that TAPI project will play an important role in contributing to this gas infrastructure project. On the margins of the meeting, Shri Pradhan called on Hon’ble Prime Minister of Pakistan Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif along with TAPI Petroleum Ministers. Prime Minister Sharif conveyed his warm regards and best wishes to Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi.

Shri Pradhan also met Minister of Mines & Petroleum of Afghanistan on the sidelines of the TAPI Steering Committee meeting. Shri Pradhan was accompanied by a high-level delegation including Secretary, P&NG, High Commissioner of India in Islamabad, Joint Secretary (International Co-operation), P&NG, Ambassador of India in Turkmenistan besides CMDs of GAIL, OVL and other senior officials of MEA and MoPNG.