Nargiza Umarova’s new publication presents a comprehensive examination of the evolving role of Afghanistan as a potential transit hub within the emerging transcontinental trade architecture. Under the Taliban’s stewardship, Afghan authorities have embraced a pragmatic and assertive approach toward infrastructure development, with an emphasis on regional connectivity. She highlights how key regional actors — particularly Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, and Iran — are revitalizing or expanding ambitious railway projects that pass-through Afghan territory, in pursuit of more direct access to South Asian and global markets. The Termez–Mazar-i-Sharif–Kabul–Peshawar railway (the Kabul Corridor) and the western Kandahar route emerge as key arteries in these plans.
The author underscores Uzbekistan’s leading role in spearheading initiatives such as the Kabul Corridor, positioning itself as a linchpin in Central Asia’s drive toward diversified trade routes. Turkmenistan’s collaboration with Kazakhstan on a parallel western corridor and Iran’s push to complete the Khaf–Herat and Zahedan–Zaranj lines demonstrate how multiple regional actors are converging on Afghanistan as a conduit for economic integration. Importantly, Umarova details the proposed Five Nation Road — linking Iran, Afghanistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, and China — which could significantly alter the current logistics map of Eurasia. The article also notes that Iran seeks to use Afghan routes to access China’s Xinjiang via the Wakhan Corridor, though this remains more aspirational than imminent.
Russia’s entry into the equation adds a strategic layer to the growing complexity. The Kremlin’s interest in linking Afghanistan to the International North–South Transport Corridor (INSTC) via new railways is particularly significant. Russian initiatives through both the eastern and western Afghan railway routes, in cooperation with Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan, reflect Moscow’s intent to tap into the southward logistics flow to Pakistan and the Indian Ocean. However, the expert rightly notes the lack of confirmation from Uzbekistan Railways, suggesting that while high-level political support exists, implementation details remain unsettled.
Toward the conclusion, Nargiza Umarova engages with the broader strategic calculus, arguing that security concerns, particularly along the Pakistan route, may shift regional preferences from the Kabul Corridor to the longer but potentially more stable Kandahar route. She also emphasizes that without regional coordination, the multiplicity of competing projects could lead to fragmented infrastructure development. Harmonization and joint investment, especially from Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, and Kazakhstan, are framed as prerequisites for success. The article ends on a cautiously optimistic note: if the stakeholders manage to coordinate their efforts effectively, Afghanistan could transform from a landlocked conflict zone into a vital logistics corridor connecting Eurasia’s heartland to global trade routes.
Read on Bourse & Bazaar Foundation’s website
* The Institute for Advanced International Studies (IAIS) does not take institutional positions on any issues; the views represented herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the IAIS.
