Karzai wants TAP-India pipeline extended to other SAARC states

New Delhi, Apr 3 (UNI) Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai today called for expediting the laying of the gas pipeline between Turkmenistan, Afghanistan, Pakistan and India, and its extension to other SAARC countries.

''The gas pipeline should be a priority for member nations. Every effort must be made in that direction,'' Mr Karzai said at the 14th SAARC Summit here after Afganistan was inducted as the eighth member of the grouping.

He said Afghanistan's full membership in SAARC presented a valuable opportunity for increased interaction, and would maximise economic benefits for the whole region.

The benefits of Afghanistan's membership of SAARC extended both ways-- under SAFTA, the member states would enjoy preferential access to trade and investment markets in Afghanistan, he said.

The membership would also expedite North-South transit routes for nations beyond immediate neighbourhood, he added.

UNI