Turkmenistan’s Foreign Minister, Rashid Meredov, met Sunday with Afghanistan’s Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs, Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, to discuss key regional projects, including the Turkmenistan–Afghanistan–Pakistan–India (TAPI) gas pipeline and the Turkmenistan–Afghanistan–Pakistan (TAP) electricity transmission project, Ariana News reported.
The Afghan side highlighted Saudi company Delta International’s interest in the project. The company is prepared to invest in gas procurement, development of Turkmenistan’s major gas fields, extending the pipeline to the Indian border, and building a large gas terminal at Pakistan’s Gwadar port.
Delegations discussed trade development, stronger banking cooperation, new job creation, and joint management of economic initiatives. Technical experts presented detailed reports on the current status of ongoing projects.
Meredov said Turkmenistan plans to invest in the Turgundi–Herat railway section, noting that work is already underway. Expansion of electricity exports through five existing transmission lines is also planned.
The talks involved energy, transport, rail, and mining ministers from both countries, as well as representatives of state-owned companies and senior officials.
Earlier, a TAPI project representative in Afghanistan, Bangunj Abdullah Yuf, said 91 kilometers of the Turkmenistan–Afghanistan–Pakistan–India pipeline route have been prepared for pipe laying in Herat province.
