India's Central Asian energy policy and its effects on Afghanistan's security

Afghanistan, Pakistan and India share a long history of religious, cultural, and linguistic affinity that has at times contributed to tense relations between these countries. There is hope that tangible projects, such as the Turkmenistan–Afghanistan–Pakistan–India (TAPI) Project, will help neighboring countries together around a shared economic interest. The project includes complex works of design, acquisition, construction, operation and maintenance of a pipeline with a length of 1,814 kilometres that will carry natural gas from Turkmenistan to Afghanistan, Pakistan and India. A section of 214 kilometres of the natural gas pipeline crosses Turkmenistan, a section of 774 kilometres will be installed in Afghanistan and a section of 826 kilometres will cross Pakistan. After the full commissioning of the TAPI natural gas pipeline, it is expected that 33 billion cubic metres of natural gas will be exported annually, for 30 years. India and Pakistan will each buy 14 billion cubic metres/year, while the remaining of 5 billion cubic metres/year will be supplied to Afghanistan. In the TAPI Project, Pakistan and India address increasing energy needs, while Turkmenistan expands the market for its extensive natural gas reserves, Afghanistan also receiving transit fees. The TAPI Project, a natural gas pipeline, is a "peace pipeline" with the potential to develop cooperation between regional rivals and strengthen economic development throughout the region. The TAPI Project also has the potential to decrease violence in Afghanistan, where war has been destroyed, and to promote security and regional stability in Afghanistan, and in regional rivals such as Pakistan and India.