On 10 August 2026, the National Leader of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov met with Afghanistan’s Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs Abdul Ghani Baradar, during his visit to Torghundi, Herat province, according to a statement from the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs.
The sides discussed the latest progress on the TAPI pipeline project (Turkmenistan – Afghanistan – Pakistan – India) and future economic cooperation between Afghanistan and Turkmenistan.
According to a statement, Baradar said during the meeting that work on the TAPI project in Herat is progressing well and that the remaining work is expected to be completed within the scheduled timeframe.
Baradar called the Turkmen side to reach an agreement on the price of gas. He also stressed the need for the gas pricing formula to be adjusted in a way that would prevent sharp fluctuations in European markets from affecting gas prices.
He also proposed that the gas agreement be concluded for a long-term period, with simple terms and a flexible mechanism for reviewing the contract.
The Deputy PM also called for Turkmen cooperation in establishing a gas distribution and consumption network in Herat Province, creating a joint technical and legal commission to resolve the remaining issues of the TAPI project, and making joint efforts to create more employment opportunities for Afghans within the project.
He stated that both sides should work jointly to increase trade by reopening the Aqina border crossing for oil transit, facilitating Afghan transit goods at Turkmenbashi Port, resolving existing obstacles to the reactivation of the Lapis Lazuli Corridor, and rehabilitating and expanding the Herat–Torghundi railway network.
Baradar also called on Turkmenistan to support major economic projects in Afghanistan in the electricity and transport sectors.
During his remarks, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov stated that relations between Turkmenistan and Afghanistan have been strengthened on the basis of goodwill and good neighborliness, creating opportunities for cooperation in various sectors.
He added that, in addition to extending the TAPI pipeline to Herat Province, Turkmenistan is ready to establish a gas distribution network in Herat and to begin practical implementation of the TAP project. He also noted that several foreign companies have expressed readiness to invest in the TAP project.
Berdimuhamedov further stated that Ashgabat is prepared to provide all necessary facilities for Afghan transit and commercial goods at Turkmenbashi Port. He also emphasized joint efforts to activate the Lapis Lazuli Corridor in order to increase trade between the two countries and the wider region.
He assured the Afghan side that the ongoing electricity and railway projects in Afghanistan would be completed on schedule and with accelerated implementation.
At the conclusion of the meeting, both sides agreed to establish a technical committee under the leadership of senior officials to follow up and implement the TAPI, TAP, fiber-optic, and railway projects, in order to ensure their effective progress. ///nCa, 10 August 2026