ENERGY DIPLOMACY: CASA-1000 AND TAPI PROJECTS BRIDGING CENTRAL AND SOUTH ASIA

Abstract

Energy security is a critical driver of regional cooperation and geopolitical strategies in South and Central Asia. This paper examines the strategic dimensions of two major transnational energy projects: the Central Asia-South Asia Electricity Transmission Project (CASA-1000) and Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) gas pipeline. CASA-1000 aims to transmit surplus electricity from Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan to energy-deficient Afghanistan and Pakistan, while TAPI seeks to deliver natural gas from Turkmenistan to South Asia. These projects are heralded as transformative initiatives for regional integration, economic growth, and internal energy demands.This study employs a qualitative case study methodology to analyse the geopolitical, economic, and societal implications of these projects. It highlights the potential for fostering interdependence and regional stability but also underscores significant challenges, including security threats, political instability and competing stakeholder interests. The role of Afghanistan as a transit state is critically assessed, considering its pivotal position and ongoing instability.Findings suggest that while CASA-1000 and TAPI have the potential to reshape regional energy dynamics, their success depends on effective multilateral cooperation, conflict resolution and robust institutional frameworks. The paper argues that these projects are not merely energy ventures but strategic tools that could redefine South and Central Asia's geopolitical landscape. By addressing these challenges, the projects could emerge as models for transnational cooperation, contributing to regional stability and economic resilience.

Keywords: Multilateral Cooperation, Energy Security, Geopolitics of Energy, Sustainable Development, Clean Energy