Saudi Arabia’s Delta International has expressed formal interest in investing in Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) gas pipeline project.
The statement came today, Sunday, 1 February 2026, during a high-level diplomatic meeting in Herat Province. Afghanistan’s Deputy PM for Economic Affairs, Abdul Ghani Baradar Akhund, met with Turkmenistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Rashid Meredov.
Saudi Interest in TAPI
The Deputy PM for Economic Affairs stated that the commencement of the TAPI project has created opportunities for expanding relations among Afghanistan, Turkmenistan, and countries of the region, and that the Saudi Arabian company Delta International has also expressed interest in investing in this project, according to the statement from the Baradar’s Office.
He confirmed that Delta International, is interested in:
- Investing in the purchase of gas under the TAPI project
- Increasing the capacity of Turkmenistan’s major gas block
- Constructing and extending the gas pipeline from Guzara District of Herat Province to Spin Boldak District of Kandahar Province, from Spin Boldak onward to the Indian border
- Establishing a large and modern gas hub at Gwadar Port in Pakistan.
In turn, Rashid Meredov stated that by the end of the current year, work on the project would reach the center of Herat Province.
He welcomed the interest of foreign companies in investing in the TAPI project and added that close cooperation should be carried out in this regard.
Connectivity issues
Beyond gas, the meeting addressed critical gaps in regional transport.
Deputy PM Baradar requested Turkmenistan to clarify its stance on the Torghundi–Herat railway, noting that Kazakhstan has already expressed a “strong interest” in implementing this specific link.
In response, Meredov expressed Turkmenistan’s readiness to invest in the Torghundi–Herat railway project and stated that practical work has already begun in Torghundi.
Strengthening the “TAP” Grid
The discussions also focused on the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan (TAP) electricity project.
Afghanistan announced it has finalized the project’s route map and is ready to cooperate on immediate power transfers to the Bala Murghab, Khamab, and Qarqin districts.
Turkmenistan pledged to increase its supply capacity, offering five routes for electricity transmission into Afghan territory.
In addition, the two sides discussed the expansion of trade, banking cooperation, the creation of employment opportunities, and joint efforts in managing economic projects across various sectors.
At the end of the meeting, the technical teams of both countries shared detailed information with the participants regarding the work progress of the ongoing projects.
The meeting was also attended by the Minister of Mines and Petroleum of Afghanistan, the Minister of Water and Energy, the Minister of Transport and Railways of Turkmenistan; the Minister of State and the Head of the Turkmen Gas State Concern, and a number of Afghan and Turkmen officials. ///nCa, 1 February 2026