Termez Discussions Center on Qosh Tepa Canal and Trans-Afghan Railway

A two-day session of the Russian Valdai International Discussion Club in Termez, Uzbekistan, focused on Afghanistan-related issues, particularly water management and transit projects.

Participants included officials, diplomats and experts from Russia and Uzbekistan. Discussions highlighted water sensitivities arising from the Qosh Tepa Canal in northern Afghanistan, which Uzbekistan views as impacting its irrigation and food security due to reliance on the Amu Darya river.

Uzbekistan has engaged in diplomatic dialogue and negotiations with the Taliban administration to seek a technical solution on water sharing. Tashkent also backs multilateral approaches through the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea.

The session addressed the Trans-Afghan railway project, covering the route from Termez to Mazar-i-Sharif, Kabul and Peshawar, intended to enhance regional trade and establish Afghanistan as a key transit hub.

In 2025, Uzbekistan, Afghanistan and Pakistan signed a preliminary agreement for technical and economic studies on the railway, with estimated costs ranging from 4.8 to 6 billion dollars.

Uzbek officials stressed that stability in Afghanistan is essential for Central Asian security and serves as a foundation for broader economic cooperation.