Deora meets Turkmenistan counterpart; discusses TAPI project

New Delhi, Nov 4 (UNI) Petroleum Minister Murli Deora today met with Turkmenistan's Oil, Gas Industries and Mineral Resources Minister and discussed matters of mutual interest, particularly the implementation of Turkmenistan, Afghanistan, Pakistan and India (TAPI) gas pipeline project.

Mr Deora, in his 45 minutes meeting with his counterpart Mr Annaguly Deryayev at the VIP lounge of the Ashgabat Airport in Turkmenistan, reiterated India's commitment to further the growing ties and cooperation between India and Turkmenistan.

The Minister, who made a transit halt at Ashgabat Airport on his way to Moscow, handed over an invitation to Mr Deryayev to participate in the India-CIS Roundtable on Hydrocarbons in Delhi on November 25-26, 2008.

Mentioning that India imports more than 70 per cent of its energy requirement from different countries, Mr Deora underlined the determination of India to engage Turkmenistan constructively in hydrocarbon sphere.

During the discussion, the Minister added that India, under the able leadership of Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh is confident and ready to meet the challenges and effects of the global financial crisis.

As a very special gesture, Mr Annaguly received the Minister at the airport along with Ambassador of India, Mohammed Afzal.

It was agreed that ONGC, GAIL and EIL would be participating in the Thirteenth Turkmen International Oil and Gas Conference and Exhibition at Ashgabat on November 19-21, 2008.

Secretary (PNG) R S Pandey, Ambassador of India Mohammed Afzal, CMD (ONGC) R S Sharma, MD (OVL) R S Butola and other senior officials were present.

UNI SBA RL NS1940