US wants Turkmenistan to become energy leader

US supports construction of the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) Pipeline. State Gas Systems of Pakistan and GAIL Ltd. (India) signed a deal on purchase of Turkmen gas. Daniel Stein, US Senior Advisor of the State Department for Eurasian Energy, said at the Third Gas Congress of Turkmenistan at the Caspian Sea that realization of the project would make Turkmenistan an energy leader.

The US official added that he wants to see American companies involved. The Asian Development Bank may assist.

Turkmenistan and Azerbaijan were recommended to develop a pipeline route to bypass other Caspian states as part of Nabucco. Both TAPI and Trans-Caspian need a transnational company to support them.

Victoria Nuland, spokeswoman of the White House expressed a similar position and support for TAPI. Obama’s administration views it as an excellent way for diversification and integration of energy. It is essential for the New Silk Road initiative.

The US does not want regional states to purchase Iranian oil and gas. Iran is not a reliable global partner, Nuland says.