Uzbek Foreign Minister meets Haqqani, reaffirms commitment to strengthening bilateral ties

INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
Uzbekistan’s Foreign Minister Bakhtiyor Saidov met late Thursday with Acting Interior Minister of Afghanistan, Sirajuddin Haqqani, along
with senior officials from the Afghan Interior Ministry, to discuss the Trans-Afghan Railway Project and broader bilateral
relations. According to a statement from the Afghan Ministry of Interior, the meeting focused on advancing regional connectivity through the
ambitious railway initiative, which aims to link Uzbekistan, Afghanistan, and Pakistan. The discussion followed the signing of a trilateral
agreement earlier this week by transport and railway officials from the three nations to initiate the project’s feasibility study. Saidov
provided updates on recent developments related to the railway project and expressed satisfaction with the momentum gained
He highlighted that trade between Uzbekistan and Afghanistan had nearly tripled over the past year, underscoring growing economic
cooperation between the neighboring countries. The expansion of ties among Afghanistan, Uzbekistan, and Pakistan, along with increased
political, economic, and cultural collaboration, is a promising sign for the entire region, Saidov said. He also reaffirmed Uzbekistan’s
support for the unfreezing of Afghan financial assets, the resolution of refugee issues, and the inclusion of Afghanistan in regional and
international platforms. Haqqani welcomed the Uzbek delegation and praised the “spirit of goodwill, constructive cooperation, and
brotherhood” shown by Uzbekistan
He noted the strategic importance of the railway project and emphasized its potential to drive economic growth across the region. We view
this project not only as a transit corridor, but as a symbol of shared prosperity, Haqqani said, adding that Afghanistan remains committed
to strengthening its political, economic, and cultural ties with Uzbekistan.” The Trans-Afghan Railway Project, first proposed in 2018, is
a key element in Uzbekistan’s broader push to become a regional transit hub
If completed, the railway would reduce cargo transit times between Central Asia and South Asia by several days and provide landlocked
Uzbekistan with direct access to Pakistani seaports via Afghanistan. The post Uzbek Foreign Minister meets Haqqani, reaffirms commitment to
strengthening bilateral ties first appeared on TINS News | Afghanistan News.