Taliban, Turkmenistan & Kazakhstan Discuss Connecting North & South Asia

On Friday, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry of the Taliban announced a meeting between the group and officials from Turkmenistan and Kazakhstan in Kabul.

The ministry stated that discussions focused on connecting North Asia to South Asia, reducing transit costs, and improving transportation.

While details of these discussions remain undisclosed, the Taliban's Ministry of Commerce has announced an agreement to establish a joint technical committee for ongoing discussions between the Taliban, Turkmenistan, and Kazakhstan.

The Taliban’s Minister of Commerce, the Deputy Prime Minister of Kazakhstan, and the Deputy Prime Minister of Turkmenistan were present at the meeting.

Prior to this gathering, Taliban officials engaged in bilateral discussions with delegations from Turkmenistan and Kazakhstan, focusing on economic relations.

The launch of a large joint logistics centre in Turghondi, the development of Afghanistan's railway infrastructure, facilitation of oil and gas transfer from Turkmenistan to Afghanistan, resolution of quarantine issues for Afghan exports and transit goods, development of banking relations, and the exportation of Afghan minerals, were among topics discussed between the Taliban Minister of Commerce and Mammetkhan Chakyyev, Deputy Prime Minister of Turkmenistan.

In another meeting, the Minister of Industry and Trade of the Taliban spoke with Serik Zhumangarin, Deputy Prime Minister, regarding mineral extraction in Afghanistan.

Despite this, no country has officially recognised the Taliban till date, although some nations in the Middle East maintain economic relations with them.

Since taking over power, the Taliban have repeatedly asked countries to invest in Afghanistan, especially in mining sector.