Russia Considers Participation in Afghanistan’s Railway and Port Projects
DID Press: Russia’s Ministry of Transport has announced that the country is considering the possibility of Russian companies participating in Afghanistan’s transport infrastructure projects, including the development of the country’s railway network and river ports.
Dmitry Zverev, Russia’s deputy transport minister, said after meeting with Abdul Karim Fateh, head of the Taliban-run railway authority, that the two sides exchanged views on the prospects for Russian companies’ involvement in developing Afghanistan’s railway and port infrastructure.
Russia’s Ministry of Transport also said in a statement that the development of the Hairatan port and, in particular, the Trans-Afghan Railway project were among the main topics of the talks.
The meeting also addressed increasing cargo transportation through existing infrastructure along the eastern route of the International North-South Transport Corridor, establishing a legal framework for the transit of cargo, and expanding Afghanistan’s cooperation with the Transport Coordination Council of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS).
Russia’s Ministry of Transport stressed that Moscow is ready to continue joint cooperation with Afghanistan in areas with development potential.
Russia’s Participation in Cargo Transportation
The Trans-Afghan Railway project is intended to connect Afghanistan by rail with Central Asia and Pakistan. Under the plan, a railway line of approximately 573 km will be built from the Uzbek border, through Afghanistan, to Peshawar in Pakistan.
Russia has previously expressed interest in participating in the project. Moscow and Tashkent reached an initial agreement on Russia’s participation in the initiative in April 2024, during Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev’s visit to Moscow.
It is estimated that if the route is implemented, around 8 to 15 million tonnes of Russian goods could be transported annually via the Trans-Afghan Railway.
Russia’s participation in Afghanistan’s railway and port projects could turn the country into an important transit route between Central Asia, Russia and Pakistani ports, strengthening Afghanistan’s position in regional transport networks.