US welcomes ground-breaking of TAPI pipeline

WASHINGTON: The US today said it supports the $7.6 billion TAPI pipeline project that will bring clean fuel to the growing economies of India and Pakistan.

"The United States congratulates Turkmenistan and its partners on the recent groundbreaking for the construction of the natural gas pipeline to Afghanistan and onward to Pakistan and India," a State Department spokesman told PTI.

The US continues to support the TAPI pipeline project, which would further diversify Turkmenistan's energy market options, provide revenue and jobs for Afghanistan at a critical time in its economic development and bring clean fuel to the growing economies of Pakistan and India, the spokesman said.

"We welcome the continued dedication by each of these countries to regional cooperation and economic connectivity," the spokesman said.

The project which will provide energy-hungry India gas to run its power plants.