LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1824
TO BE ANSWERED ON 13.02.2019
SIR CREEK ISSUE
1824. SHRI K.PARASURAMAN:
Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:
(a) the stand of the Government in respect of Sir creek issue with Pakistan;
(b) whether the Government intends to renegotiate the Katchatheevu deal with Sri-lanka and if so, details thereof;
(c) whether the Government has concluded the negotiation regarding TAPI pipeline project and if so, the status of it’s implementation;
(d) whether the Government is building Parliament House for Afghanistan; and
(e) if so, the details of assistance released so far and the time by which it is likely to be completed?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
[GEN. (DR) V. K. SINGH (RETD)]
(a) India and Pakistan have held bilateral talks on the Sir Creek issue, including under the composite dialogue. The last such formal talks were held in June 2012 and the two sides inter-alia discussed the land boundary in the Sir Creek area and delimitation
of International Maritime Boundary between India and Pakistan. In December 2015, it was agreed to start a Comprehensive Bilateral Dialogue. This included Sir Creek issue. However, the terror attack on the Airbase in Pathankot in January 2016 and Pakistan’s
continued support to cross border terrorism against India has prevented holding of any structured bilateral dialogue.
(b) The matter relating to the Katchatheevu Island is currently sub-judice in the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India.
(c) The Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan (TAP) project was announced in May 2002. India joined the consortium in 2008. In 2014, TAPI Pipeline Consortium Ltd (TPCL) was incorporated. The Share Holders Agreement of TPCL was signed on 13 December 2015 under which
Turkmenistan holds 85% share and India, Pakistan and Afghanistan hold 5% share each. Asian Development Bank is the Transaction Advisor for the project. TPCL has engaged M/s ILF BeratendeIngenierue for Project Management and FEED Consultancy services for the
Afghanistan-Pakistan section of the pipeline. TPCL has also appointed M/s Portland Advisers as Financial Advisor for the project to carry out detailed financial due deligence and achieve financial closure.
(d) & (e) Afghan Parliament building was constructed in Kabul with the assistance of Government of India. The approximate cost of the project was Rs 969 Crores. Afghan Parliament building was jointly inaugurated by the Prime Minister of India and the President
of Afghanistan on 25 December 2015.
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