Taliban, Turkmenistan Foreign Ministers Discuss Accelerating TAPI Pipeline

Taliban Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi and Turkmenistan’s Foreign Minister Rashid Meredov held virtual talks this week to review progress on key regional infrastructure projects, with particular emphasis on expediting the TAPI gas pipeline.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, the Taliban’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the two sides explored ways to strengthen political and economic ties between Afghanistan and Turkmenistan. Their discussions also covered diplomatic engagement and the advancement of joint initiatives, particularly the TAPI pipeline, which is designed to transport Turkmen natural gas through Afghanistan to Pakistan and India.

Muttaqi characterised relations between the two nations as “stronger than ever” and stated that the current regional environment is conducive to expanding bilateral cooperation. He reaffirmed the Taliban’s commitment to major regional development projects.

According to the ministry’s statement, Foreign Minister Meredov welcomed recent developments related to the TAPI project and outlined Turkmenistan’s plans to enhance cooperation in areas such as railway construction, trade, and regional transit. He also pledged to ease visa procedures for Afghan traders in the near future.

Both foreign ministers agreed to maintain high-level consultations aimed at accelerating implementation of the TAPI pipeline, expanding rail connectivity, enhancing electricity transmission, and deepening overall economic cooperation.