Month: October 2025

Erkin Tukumov, Special Representative of the President of Kazakhstan for Afghanistan, has called on Central Asian nations to intensify efforts to develop new transport corridors linking the region with Afghanistan and further to South Asia, including Pakistan and India. He made the remarks during the 2025 Astana Think Tank Forum at a session titled “Vision for Central Asia.”

“Afghanistan has historically served as a transit hub, with the Great Silk Road and other trade corridors passing through its territory,” Tukumov stated. “Today, like the countries of Central Asia, Afghanistan is interested in developing stable and reliable transport routes that facilitate the movement of goods and provide access to South Asian markets. In the past, the region was primarily oriented toward the West, and later toward the East, particularly China. The southern direction remained largely overlooked for an obvious reason: Afghanistan endured nearly half a century of war.”

Tukumov noted that the security situation is evolving, and although complete safety cannot yet be guaranteed, the level of risk has notably decreased. He emphasized that the Taliban now exercises effective control over the entirety of Afghan territory, which has contributed to an overall sense of stability. Trade and economic cooperation between Central Asian countries and Kabul, grounded in bilateral agreements, is also growing.

“The next logical step is the establishment of new transport corridors connecting Central Asia with Afghanistan and South Asia. This objective can only be achieved through a coordinated regional effort,” he said.

Javlon Vakhabov, Director of the International Institute for Central Asia (Uzbekistan), supported this view. He advocated for a unified regional approach to infrastructure development, including a strategic focus on the Afghan direction, and called for the creation of a sustainable coordination mechanism.

“It is also necessary to convene an international forum titled ‘Central Asia – Afghanistan’ to foster expert dialogue, align policy efforts, share research, and develop joint strategies,” Vakhabov added.

He further proposed involving Afghanistan in the regional water dialogue, particularly regarding the joint management of the Amu Darya, and establishing a multilateral framework to ensure equitable water use.

Younes Zangyabadi, Executive Director of the Institute for Peace and Diplomacy (Canada-USA), referred to the “Group of Neighbors and Friends of Afghanistan” (6+2 format), a diplomatic initiative established in the late 20th century under UN auspices. The group included Iran, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, China, Russia, and the US. Zangyabadi suggested that this format could be revived with Central Asian countries taking a leading role.

“Central Asia is well-positioned to take the initiative in reviving this platform, which once brought together regional and global powers to discuss the future of Afghanistan in an inclusive manner,” he said.

Valiullah Shahin, Director of the Center for Strategic Studies at the Afghan Ministry of Foreign Affairs, expressed Kabul’s readiness to participate in water negotiations and emphasized Afghanistan’s interest in boosting trade, economic ties, and regional security. He also voiced support for collaborative efforts focused on development and stability in Central Asia.

Previously The Times of Central Asia reported that Kazakhstan had proposed the establishment of an international network of think tanks to contribute to reforming global governance systems.