Russia’s Deputy Prime Minister has announced that Moscow remains committed to advancing the Trans-Afghan Railway project, with feasibility studies and assessments particularly concerning the western route through Afghanistan’s Herat Province continuing to move forward.
Speaking on Thursday at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, Alexey Overchuk stated that the development of a railway corridor through Afghanistan remains under extensive consideration and continues to rank among the key priorities for regional transport and connectivity initiatives.
According to Overchuk, the Trans-Afghan project extends far beyond the construction of a railway network. It encompasses a broader range of strategic infrastructure developments, including energy transmission pipelines, transit highways, and other related logistical and economic infrastructure.
Addressing the session titled “Trade in Times of Turbulence,” he emphasized that these projects carry significant economic and transit-related value for the countries of the region. However, ongoing tensions and conflicts in certain areas have slowed the pace of implementation.
The Russian Deputy Prime Minister further noted that, despite existing challenges, the expansion of transportation corridors and the strengthening of regional logistics networks remain firmly on the agenda, with efforts to advance these initiatives continuing unabated.
The Trans-Afghan project is widely regarded as one of the region’s most important strategic undertakings. Its primary objective is to establish a transport link between Central Asian countries and South Asian markets via Afghanistan. Proponents argue that successful implementation of the project could significantly enhance Afghanistan’s role as a regional transit hub while fostering deeper economic cooperation and integration among countries across the region.
Writer:Salima Aryaei
