Gazprom may take part in TAPI gas pipeline-official

TURKMENBASHI, Turkmenistan Oct 22 (Reuters) - Russia's gas monopoly Gazprom (GAZP.MM) could take part in a gas pipeline from Turkmenistan to Pakistan and India via Afghanistan, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Igor Sechin said on Friday. "The issue of Gazprom's participation in the TAPI (Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India) gas pipeline was discussed during this visit," Sechin told reporters during Russian President Dmitry Medvedev's visit to Turkmenistan.

"Gazprom may participate in this project in any capacity -- builder, designer, participant, etc," Sechin said.

(Writing by Dmitry Solovyov; editing by Steve Gutterman)