Ashgabat, February 2, 2026 — The Europe Today: Turkmenistan’s Foreign Minister Rashid Meredov on Sunday met with Afghanistan’s Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs, Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, to discuss key regional connectivity and energy projects, including the Turkmenistan–Afghanistan–Pakistan–India (TAPI) gas pipeline and the Turkmenistan–Afghanistan–Pakistan (TAP) electricity transmission project, Ariana News reported.
During the meeting, the Afghan side highlighted the interest of Saudi Arabia-based Delta International in participating in the projects. The company has expressed readiness to invest in gas procurement, development of Turkmenistan’s major gas fields, extension of the pipeline to the Indian border, and the construction of a large gas terminal at Pakistan’s Gwadar port.
The two delegations also discussed the expansion of bilateral trade, strengthening banking cooperation, creation of new employment opportunities, and joint management of economic initiatives. Technical experts from both sides presented detailed briefings on the current status and progress of ongoing projects.
Meredov said Turkmenistan plans to invest in the Turgundi–Herat railway section, noting that construction work on the project is already underway. He also announced plans to expand electricity exports through five existing transmission lines connecting the two countries.
The talks were attended by ministers responsible for energy, transport, railways, and mining from both sides, along with representatives of state-owned enterprises and senior government officials.
Earlier, a representative of the TAPI project in Afghanistan, Bangunj Abdullah Yuf, said that 91 kilometers of the pipeline route in Herat province have been prepared for pipe laying, marking a significant step forward in the implementation of the long-awaited regional energy corridor.
