Afghanistan and Kazakhstan have signed a landmark agreement to invest $500 million in the development of the Herat-Torghundi railway, a strategic infrastructure project aimed at boosting regional connectivity and trade.

The agreement was formalized during a high-level meeting held Thursday at the Presidential Palace in Kabul between Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar Akhund, Afghanistan’s Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs, and Murat Nurtluyev, Kazakhstan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs.

During the meeting, both sides reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral trade, transit cooperation, and economic partnerships. Deputy PM Baradar described the growing ties between Afghanistan and Kazakhstan as positive and forward-looking, noting Afghanistan’s unique position as a potential transit corridor for Kazakh energy exports to South Asia.

The Herat-Torghundi railway, once completed, is expected to serve as a vital link in the region’s transportation network, facilitating cargo movement and enhancing trade between Central and South Asia. The two governments see the project as a cornerstone of long-term regional economic integration.

In addition to the railway investment, officials discussed a wide range of joint venture opportunities in the sectors of mining, transport, energy production, telecommunications, and broader infrastructure development.

To further boost economic ties, both sides explored new agreements covering agricultural product protection, international freight transport, and reductions in transit fees. These steps are expected to elevate bilateral trade volume to an ambitious $3 billion in the coming years.

Kazakh Deputy PM Murat Nurtluyev reaffirmed Kazakhstan’s continued support for Afghanistan in international forums and reiterated his country's willingness to increase electricity exports to Afghanistan. He also highlighted Kazakhstan’s interest in importing Afghan agricultural products, creating further market opportunities for Afghan farmers and exporters.

The agreement is seen as a pivotal step toward economic revival and regional connectivity for Afghanistan, especially under the current circumstances where infrastructure development is vital for internal stability and economic self-sufficiency.

The signing of the $500 million Herat-Torghundi railway deal reflects growing regional interest in engaging with Afghanistan as a land bridge connecting Central Asia with South Asia and beyond. Officials from both sides hailed the agreement as a testament to mutual trust, economic ambition, and strategic vision.

The railway project, when realized, is expected to stimulate trade, generate jobs, and offer a more efficient route for the transit of goods across the region — underscoring the emerging role of Afghanistan in the broader Eurasian economic landscape. (ILKHA)