New Railway Line Proposed to Connect Central Asia and South Asia
Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, and Afghanistan have expressed interest in building a new railway line that would connect Central Asia with South Asia. The proposal was discussed during a trilateral meeting held on the sidelines of the first transport trade and export forum in Aktau.
The proposed railway line, Turgundi-Herat-Kandahar-Spin Buldak, would run from Turkmenistan through Afghanistan to Pakistan and eventually India. Turkmenistan has already initiated plans to build a logistics center in Turgundi and is seeking partners for the railway project.
Mammetkhan Chakyev, head of Turkmenistan’s Agency for Transport and Communications, emphasized the potential benefits of the railway, including increased trade and economic growth for all involved countries. Kazakhstan, with its expertise in railway construction, is seen as a key partner.
Afghanistan welcomed the proposal, highlighting the importance of the new route for regional trade and cooperation. The country expressed its willingness to facilitate the transit of goods between Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, and Pakistan, as well as its interest in importing Chinese products through this corridor.
Kazakhstan’s Deputy Prime Minister Serik Zhumangarin also met with an Iranian delegation to discuss further cooperation in transport and logistics infrastructure.
The construction of the railway line is seen as a significant step towards enhancing regional connectivity and economic development.
