The Trans-Afghan railroad project is important for improving connectivity to Eurasia and could become a vital component of the North-South International Transport Corridor (NSITC), aimed at linking countries in northern Eurasia with the Global South, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexei Overchuk said.
"We view this project as key to improving connectivity in Central Asia region and Eurasia as a whole," Overchuk told reporters after discussions with the Taliban* authorities in Kabul. "Two railroads could be built here – one western and one eastern."
Russia is keen for Afghanistan to play a key role in transport links, Overchuk stated, emphisising that the Afghan government is committed to cooperation.
Both Russia and Afghanistan will develop a technical and economic feasibility study for the project, which is currently being worked on by Russian companies and the Ministry of Transport, in cooperation with counterparts from other Central Asian countries, he said, highlighting that the Islamic Emirate was ready to forge a joint venture for the same.
* under UN sanctions for terrorism