Today: 29 October 2025
30 October 2021
3 mins read

Afghanistan discusses TAPI Project with Turkmenistan

The two sides also discussed issues related to a number of Afghan-Turkmen joint projects, fibre optic and railway projects…reports Asian Lite News

Taliban Prime Minister Mullah Hassan Akhund met with visiting Turkmen Foreign Minister Rashid Meredov on Saturday, during which they discussed the construction of the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) Gas Pipeline Project in Afghanistan’s terrain.

The two sides also discussed issues related to a number of Afghan-Turkmen joint projects, fibre optic and railway projects, according to the statement by the General Directorate for Administrative Affairs of the President Office.

The key regional project is expected to transit gas from Turkmenistan to Afghanistan, Pakistan and India, with Afghanistan getting about 500 million US dollars a year as royalty and thousands of Afghans are expected to find work from the project.

The TAPI project is supported by the United States and the Asian Development Bank (ADB). It proposed to lay a 56-inch diameter and 1,680-kilometre pipeline with a capacity of transporting 33 billion cubic meters (BCM) of natural gas per annum from Turkmenistan through Afghanistan and Fazilka near the India-Pakistan border.

The long-lasting war and insecurity had caused a delay in the inauguration of the TAPI project which was expected to be completed in 2020. The Afghan and Turkmen sides have resumed talks on the topic with prevailing security

The ADB is acting as the facilitator and coordinator for the project.

According to the statement, Meredov said that Turkmenistan was ready to provide humanitarian aid to Afghans and help them in the implementation of economic projects.

“Implementation of the joint projects would be helpful for the people of Afghanistan and Turkmenistan and would enhance the regional cooperation,” he was quoted in the statement as saying.

Int’l recognition still nowhere near

The Taliban on Friday reiterated that it had completed all conditions for recognition by the international community, local media reported.

According to Tolo News, the Russian foreign ministry’s spokesperson recently said that the “Taliban” should fulfil the expectations of the international community for recognition.

“The Islamic Emirate expects the regional and world countries to engage with the Afghans and recognise the current government under the leadership of the Islamic Emirate,” said Bilal Karimi, deputy spokesperson of the Islamic Emirate.

“Therefore, the Islamic Emirate would be able to responsibly engage in (resolving) the problems and challenges with the world,” Karimi added.

“The Taliban should fulfil the expectation of the international community for the formation of an inclusive government based on ethnicity, countering the terrorism and freedom of citizens,” Tolo News quoted Maria Zakharova, the spokesperson for the Russian Federations’ foreign ministry as saying.

To resolve the ongoing challenges, political experts said that Afghanistan needs to be recognised by the world, Tolo News reported.

“(The people) pay for the price of the non-recognition of the Afghan government. Inclusivity and participatory government is the wish of all Afghans,” said Fazal Hadi Wazin, a university instructor. “If a government is not inclusive, it will be deprived of the support of the people.”

“(They) use recognition and impose conditions as pressure,” said Aziz Miraj, a former diplomat.

It has been over two months when the Taliban captured Kabul after an aggressive and rapid advance against Afghanistan government forces after US military drawdown. Meanwhile, Russia, the United States, Japan, Canada, France, UK have expressed that they are not planning to recognise the government formed by the Taliban. (ANI)

ALSO READ: Imran’s advisor hints at more taxes in Pakistan

Previous Story

Court convicts Pak General’s son for asking Army chief to resign

Next Story

Afghanistan reopens missions in Pakistan

Latest from -Top News

Gazans Struggle to Revive Life

Today, Gaza’s markets seem to awaken from beneath the ruins. Partially destroyed shops opened their doors amid streets littered with debris, while merchants attempt to arrange what remains of their goods on

GAZA AID: MSF raps Israel

Doctors Without Borders (MSF) says Israel Continues to Use Aid as a Weapon of War Against Gaza Strip…reports Asian Lite News Doctors Without Borders (MSF) said that despite the ceasefire agreement, Israel

Qatar Emir Meets Trump

HH the Amir welcomed HE the US President and his accompanying delegation, expressing his pleasure at meeting the President during his stopover in Qatar…reports Asian Lite News HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim

Abu Dhabi leads future of food innovation

Global Food Week 2025 cements Abu Dhabi’s leadership in food innovation, uniting 75 countries to showcase sustainable agriculture, cutting-edge technologies, and women-led enterprises driving future food security….reports Asian Lite News Global Food

UAE reshapes AI council

The newly reconstituted Council will be chaired by His Highness Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan, with His Highness Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan serving as Vice-Chairman….reports Asian Lite
Go toTop

Don't Miss

Taliban seize abandoned US military weapons

The Taliban have seized airplanes, tanks and artillery from Afghan

ISIS-K: India on alert as Pakistan adds new ‘weapon’

Since ISIS-K specialises in mass casualty attacks, Kashmir is likely