KABUL (Pajhwok): Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs Maulvi Abdul Ghani Baradar, together with Turkmenistan's national leader, has inspected the TAPI gas pipeline project in Afghanistan.

Baradar said the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA)'s vision was not limited to TAPI alone but to develop an economic corridor between Kabul and Ashgabat.

A high-level IEA delegation led by Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar visited the TAPI project alongside Turkmenistan's national leader Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow and his accompanying team, his office said in a statement.

Mullah Baradar described TAPI as crucial for regional cooperation, economic integration, and shared prosperity, noting that the project has already achieved 14 kilometres of practical progress in Afghanistan.

He emphasised that the IEA's vision extends beyond TAPI, aiming to expand the economic corridor between Afghanistan and Turkmenistan.

The corridor includes projects such as the TAP-500 electricity transmission project, railway construction, roads, logistics centres, and other economic initiatives, which the Islamic Emirate is fully committed to implementing, securing, and sustaining.

Mullah Baradar called on Turkmenistan and all international partners to take advantage of investment opportunities in Afghanistan and invest in the country.

He also urged neighbouring countries to prioritise mutual respect and cooperation over confrontation, and avoid undermining Afghanistan's national sovereignty, pride, and people.

For his part, Turkmenistan's national leader Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow described relations between Kabul and Ashgabat as strong and growing, thanking the IEA for fully supporting the implementation of this important regional project.

He said the TAPI project is a top priority for the Turkmen government, which will play a constructive role in the region's economic stability.

He added that conditions for implementing TAPI are currently optimal, and it is the only regional project with international support. Turkmenistan plans to complete the project on schedule, which will generate approximately one billion dollars annually for Afghanistan.

The TAPI project (Turkmenistan–Afghanistan–Pakistan–India gas pipeline) is one of the region's major energy initiatives, designed to transport natural gas from Turkmenistan through Afghanistan to Pakistan and India.

The pipeline spans 1,800 kilometres in total, of which 816 kilometres pass through Afghanistan.

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