Trans-Afghan corridor: Uzbekistan's initiative serves the development of a larger regionPublished on EGF: 28.05.2024 by EGF Editor
In recent years, the main principle of the foreign policy of the Republic of Uzbekistan has been the establishment of good neighborly relations, in particular, strengthening economic ties with Afghanistan, providing comprehensive assistance in preventing a humanitarian crisis in this country, implementing the Trans-Afghan railway project, cooperating on the Kosh-Tepa canal project, and other issues. Evidence supporting this perspective is the strategic focus of the Republic of Uzbekistan's development plan for 2022-2026, which emphasizes fostering comprehensive relations with Afghanistan and aiding its socio-economic revitalization.[1] It should be noted that in all the speeches of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Sh. Mirziyoyev, at the United Nations General Assembly, he specifically addressed the issue of Afghanistan. In particular, at the 76th session of the UN General Assembly (September 2021): "Afghanistan cannot be isolated and left in the whirlpool of problems during the current difficult period. In the Afghan issue, the influence and voice of the UN must sound stronger than ever,"[2] said President Sh. Mirziyoyev. Furthermore, in his speech at the 78th session of the UN General Assembly (September 2023), Sh. Mirziyoyev expressed the opinion that humanitarian aid to the Afghan people should not be weakened and called for the development of appropriate mechanisms to direct frozen international assets of Afghanistan towards solving acute social problems in this country. It is evident that Uzbekistan's new foreign policy is aimed at improving the situation in Afghanistan and establishing long-term peace in the country.[3] It is clear that Uzbekistan's new foreign policy is aimed at improving the situation in Afghanistan and establishing long-term peace in the country. Certainly, Uzbekistan also has fundamental national interests, which are visible in the projects it aims to implement through a peaceful and stable Afghanistan. It is known that Uzbekistan is located in the center of Eurasia and borders all the republics of Central Asia, including Afghanistan. The landlocked geographical position of the country, i.e., the fact that it is completely surrounded by land and has no access to the sea, compels it to seek ways to access regional and global markets to realize its vast potential. The Trans-Afghan Railway project provides an opportunity to connect Uzbekistan to the ports of Gwadar and Karachi in Pakistan. It should be noted that historically, the countries of Central and South Asia were connected by the Great Silk Road. This connection facilitated exchanges in political, economic, and cultural spheres. Unfortunately, despite the common historical link, economic ties between the Central and South Asian regions are currently not very deep. Key factors that could improve relations between Pakistan and Central Asia, especially Uzbekistan, include the relative stability of the interim government in Afghanistan, the geographical landscape, and the diverse resources of the region. For example, American economist Paul Krugman stated that the features of the geographical landscape and resource endowment have a significant impact on the trade and economic behavior of the countries in the region.[4] Furthermore, a characteristic feature of the globalization process occurring in the 21st century is economic dependency, which can be seen in the politico-economic initiatives of various power centers. In such a political and economic reality, the principle of establishing regional relations as a pioneer of global integration is especially important for landlocked countries like Uzbekistan. Additionally, the economic growth occurring in Uzbekistan (6-7% per year) requires the exploration of ways for rapid development to optimally utilize the country's trade potential. Looking back at the history of Afghanistan's railways, it can be noted that the Hairatan-Mazar-i-Sharif railway, built by Uzbekistan and partially funded by the Asian Development Bank with a loan of about $165 million under the Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation (CAREC) Program, is located in Mazar, north of the border town of Hairatan in Balkh Province of Afghanistan. It covers a distance of 75 kilometers to Mazar-i-Sharif. This city is the second-largest trade center in Afghanistan, and the railway terminal is located east of Mazar-i-Sharif Airport, near Naibabad. Completed at the end of 2011, this railway will connect Afghanistan to the broader markets of Europe and Asia through Uzbekistan. Following the high-level negotiations between Uzbekistan, Afghanistan, and Pakistan in 2020, a joint action plan ("Roadmap") for the construction of the "Mazar-i-Sharif – Kabul – Peshawar" railway was adopted.[5] However, the change of government due to the events of August 2021 in Afghanistan slowed down the implementation of this project. Nonetheless, the Taliban, who came to power, announced their joining of this project in December 2021. On July 18, 2022, an expedition to determine the route of the Trans-Afghan railway and the technical and economic basis of the project began in the country. This process gained momentum after negotiations between the delegation of Uzbekistan and the government of Pakistan.[6] The continuation of negotiations on the project took place in July 2023 in Islamabad. The Trans-Afghan railway project became an important step for regional communication and trade during the meeting of officials from Afghanistan, Uzbekistan, and Pakistan. This project was supported by the Ministers of Finance and Railways of Pakistan. The railway and transport authorities of these countries approved the construction plan for a 573-kilometer railway connecting Tashkent, Kabul, and Peshawar.[7] Thus, the Trans-Afghan railway project, first proposed by Uzbekistan in December 2018, aims to extend the Afghan railway network from Mazar-i-Sharif to Kabul, and then to Nangarhar province, crossing the Torkham border and passing through Peshawar in Pakistan. Upon arrival in Pakistan, the cargo is unloaded to connect to the Pakistani railway system and then transported to the Pakistani seaports of Karachi, Gwadar, and Qasim.[8] Zia ul Haq Sarhadi, Director and Coordinator of the Pakistan-Afghanistan Joint Chamber of Commerce and Industry, assessed the Trans-Afghan railway in an interview with The Cradle: "This railway is expected to become the true heart of regional trade, connecting countries of Central Asia, as well as China, Iran, Pakistan, and Afghanistan."[9] On March 12, 2024, at a meeting of the foreign affairs heads of Uzbekistan and Afghanistan, Mr. Bakhtiyor Saidov stated that Uzbekistan wants to invest in Afghanistan in the areas of cement production, coal mining, and coal-based power generation. Furthermore, he noted that investments in these sectors could be a catalyst for the development of the Trans-Afghan railway corridor.[10] Of course, it is understood that the implementation of the project will not be smooth. It is known to have significant geopolitical and geo-economic importance; however, there are several challenges in its implementation, especially in terms of finance and security. Nevertheless, despite the existing difficulties, the construction of the Trans-Afghan corridor will equally benefit all countries of Central and South Asia in the future.[11] Taking the example of Uzbekistan, in 2022, there will be an increase in the value of trade in goods and services with South Asian countries (Afghanistan, India, and Pakistan), but with a population of about 2 billion people, South Asia serves as a huge market for Uzbekistan, where industry is growing.[12] Furthermore, the project is expected to reduce travel time between Uzbekistan and Pakistan by five days and decrease transportation costs by approximately forty percent.[13] The Trans-Afghan Railway Corridor is a strategic project aimed at strengthening trade and economic ties between Central Asia and South Asia through Afghanistan. This corridor will simplify freight transport and increase trade volume between the regions. It is also expected to make a significant contribution to economic development and stability in Afghanistan by creating new jobs and improving infrastructure. In conclusion, it should be noted that the government of Uzbekistan in its foreign policy prioritizes interregional and intraregional cooperation within the Central Asian and South Asian regions, promoting peace and stability in Afghanistan. In the Central Asian republics, it is necessary to develop regionalism based on trade and economic relations, which will further create a favorable environment for regional cooperation in matters of foreign policy and security. [1] Decree of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan “On the development strategy of New Uzbekistan for 2022-2026.” https://lex.uz/uz/docs/-5841063#-5844604 [2] The President of Uzbekistan put forward important initiatives at the 76th session of the UN General Assembly. https://president.uz/oz/lists/view/4633 [3] The President of Uzbekistan delivered a speech at the 78th session of the UN General Assembly. https://president.uz/oz/lists/view/6679 [4] Paul Krugman. Geography and Trade. Cambridge, MA: MIT Press. 2016. 25 p. In this book author provides a stimulating synthesis of ideas in the literature and describes new models for implementing a study of economic geography that could change the nature of the field. Economic theory usually assumes away distance. Krugman argues that it is time to put it back - that the location of production in space is a key issue both within and between nations. [5] Uzbekistan, Afghanistan and Pakistan signed the "Road Map" on railway construction. https://www.gazeta.uz/oz/2021/02/09/trans-afghan-railway/ [6] Acceleration of the construction of the Trans-Afghan railway was discussed in Tashkent. Elshod S. Gazeta.uz. December 27, 2023. https://www.gazeta.uz/oz/2023/12/27/transafgan-railway/ [7] F.M. Shakil. Spoilers and stakeholders in the Trans-Afghan Railway saga. The cradle.co. https://thecradle.co/articles-id/7354 [8] Sofiya Nina Burna-Asefiy. Transafg‘on temir yo‘l liniyasi: To‘g‘ri yo‘nalish. The Diplomat. 2022. Tarjimon: Tohirov Mahmudjon Murodjon o’g’li. https://thediplomat.com/2022/07/the-trans-afghan-railway-line-back-on-track/ [9] F.M. Shakil. Spoilers and stakeholders in the Trans-Afghan Railway saga. The cradle.co. https://thecradle.co/articles-id/7354 [10] Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan. Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Today, IEA-Foreign Minister Mawlawi Amir Khan Muttaqi, met with a high-level delegation led by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Uzbekistan, Mr. Baxtiyor Saidov. https://mfa.gov.af/en/16576
[11] Жўраев Қ.А Транс-афғон коридори – жафокаш афғон заминида тинчлик ва барқарорликни таъминлашнинг муҳим омили. https://t.me/qodirdjuraev/124 [12] Жўраев Қ.А Транс-афғон коридори – жафокаш афғон заминида тинчлик ва барқарорликни таъминлашнинг муҳим омили. https://t.me/qodirdjuraev/124 [13] F.M. Shakil. Spoilers and stakeholders in the Trans-Afghan Railway saga. The cradle.co. https://thecradle.co/articles-id/7354 | External Relations |
|
Yu. Imomova