Turkmenistan’s paramount leader, Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov, traveled to Afghanistan on August 10 to advance discussions surrounding the TAPI pipeline, a decades-old project intended to transport natural gas from Turkmenistan through Afghanistan to Pakistan and India. The first phase involves a 153-kilometer stretch from the Turkmen border to the western Afghan city of Herat, which officials characterized as progressing incrementally.
During the visit, Turkmen and Afghan leadership signed what was described as a letter of intent outlining preliminary terms for gas shipment to the Herat region, with possible involvement of Turkmenistan in developing a regional gas distribution network there. Officials reported that approximately 700 Turkmen specialists and over 300 units of specialized equipment were involved in construction efforts. Both sides publicly emphasized the project’s importance and claimed forward momentum.
However, substantive progress remains elusive. Critical negotiations over pricing and supply volumes have not been concluded, with Deputy Afghan Prime Minister Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar pressing Berdymukhamedov for a pricing agreement without immediate results. Afghan officials stated that a long-term accord should include simplified conditions and flexible review mechanisms.
Beyond the gas pipeline, Berdymukhamedov proposed additional regional connectivity initiatives, including a power transmission line and fiber-optic cable linking Turkmenistan, Afghanistan, and Pakistan. He also advocated for increased cross-border trade through Turkmenistan’s Caspian Sea port and suggested establishing a unified logistics center to expedite freight movement. Reports indicated these broader proposals did not yield concrete agreements during the visit.
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