Central Asian Countries, Including Turkmenistan, Increase Ties with Afghanistan

Central Asian countries, including Turkmenistan, have strengthened relations with Afghanistan in recent years, focusing on trade as well as projects in electricity, gas transmission and railway lines.

Statistics from Afghanistan's Ministry of Industry and Commerce indicate that trade between Kabul and Ashgabat exceeded $900 million in 2025, marking an increase from the previous year.

Abdul Shakoor Hadewal, an economic expert, said that if the Islamic Emirate and Turkmenistan provide more facilities for traders, trade volumes would expand further, leading to easier availability of goods and lower prices in both countries' markets.

Hidayatullah Badri, Minister of Mines and Petroleum of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, met with Khwaja Avazov, Turkmenistan's ambassador in Kabul, and Mohammad Murad Amanov, head of the TAPI project.

During the meeting, the parties discussed progress on the TAPI project, land acquisition along the pipeline route and ways to strengthen bilateral relations. Badri urged TAPI officials to increase local employment, share work plans in a timely manner and build capacity for Afghan engineers.

Qutbuddin Yaqubi, another economic expert, highlighted the TAPI project's potential, stating that upon completion, Afghanistan would earn transit revenue and better utilize energy for its industries and factories.

Abdul Nasir Reshtia, a further economic expert, noted strong relations with Turkmenistan in key sectors, including imports of electricity, petroleum products, gas and basic goods, in exchange for exports such as dried fruits.

The TAPI project aims to transport natural gas from Turkmenistan through Afghanistan to Pakistan and India.