Taliban deputy chief minister Abdul Ghani Baradar urged Turkmenistan on Sunday to clarify its position on a proposed rail link between the border town of Torghundi and the western city of Herat, as the two sides discussed regional energy and transport projects, including the long-delayed TAPI gas pipeline.
Baradar made the remarks during talks in Herat with Turkmenistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Rashid Meredov, according to a Taliban statement.
The meeting brought together senior officials from both sides, including Taliban ministers for mines and petroleum and for water and energy, as well as Turkmen officials responsible for transport, railways and the state gas company Turkmengaz.
Baradar said Kazakhstan had shown strong interest in the Torghundi–Herat railway project and called on Ashgabat to specify its position on the route, which is seen as a key component of regional connectivity.
The talks also covered progress on the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) gas pipeline, the TAP power transmission project, railway cooperation and electricity exports, the statement said.
Baradar said the launch of work on TAPI had helped strengthen ties between Afghanistan, Turkmenistan and neighbouring countries, adding that Saudi Arabia’s Delta International Company had expressed interest in investing in several parts of the project.
According to the Taliban statement, Delta International is considering investments in gas purchases under TAPI, expanding production capacity at a major Turkmen gas field, extending the pipeline from Herat through Kandahar to Pakistan’s border, and developing a large gas hub at Pakistan’s Gwadar port.
Baradar said Afghanistan was fully prepared to finalize the route plan for the TAP power project and pledged cooperation on electricity transmission to several western districts, as well as on other regional infrastructure initiatives. He also stressed the need to ensure job opportunities through current and future projects.
Meredov said Turkmenistan welcomed foreign investment in TAPI and expected construction to reach Herat city by the end of the current year. He added that Turkmenistan had already begun work related to the Torghundi–Herat railway in the border area and was ready to invest further in the project.
He also said Turkmenistan was prepared to export electricity to Afghanistan through five routes and increase supply capacity.
The two sides discussed expanding trade, banking cooperation, job creation and joint management of economic projects, the statement said.
Regional countries have continued limited engagement with the Taliban on trade and energy since their return to power in 2021, though flagship projects such as TAPI have faced repeated delays due to security concerns, financing gaps and political uncertainty.
