Afghanistan-Uzbekistan Relations: A New Era of Economic Cooperation

Since the rise of the Islamic Emirate in the 1990s, relations between Uzbekistan and the Islamic Emirate have gone through various phases. Like other countries around the world, Afghanistan-Uzbekistan relations have also been influenced by political developments, experiencing both positive and negative phases over time. Currently, Kabul and Tashkent enjoy stronger economic relations than ever before, alongside their political ties.

During the first rule of the Islamic Emirate, Uzbekistan expressed dissatisfaction with the situation. Tashkent believed that some of its opponents, such as Qari Tahir Jan Yuldash, Jumma Namangani, and other Uzbek dissidents, were among the ranks of the Islamic Emirate. As a result, Uzbekistan felt threatened and, in response, closed its only trade route with Afghanistan—Hairatan Port—to all forms of travel and trade.

After the US invasion of Afghanistan, Uzbekistan weakened and reduced its ties with the Islamic Emirate. However, in the second decade of the 21st century, with the establishment of the Islamic Emirate’s political office in Qatar, Uzbekistan once again initiated diplomatic relations with the Islamic Emirate. Uzbekistan’s special presidential envoys regularly met with officials from the political office of the Islamic Emirate in Qatar, and members of the Islamic Emirate’s political leadership also made occasional visits to Uzbekistan.

Strengthening Relations After the Fall of Kabul

After the fall of Kabul, Uzbekistan was one of the first countries to accept the Islamic Emirate’s ambassador, expanding its relations with the new government, especially in the economic sector. These ties reached new levels with high-ranking visits between the two countries.

On August 17, 2024, Abdulla Aripov, the prime minister of Uzbekistan, along with several ministers and technical teams, visited Kabul. He held discussions with senior officials of the Islamic Emirate on political and economic issues, and several agreements were signed.

Following this visit, and at the official invitation of the Uzbek Prime Minister, Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar Akhund, deputy economic chief of the prime minister’s office, led a high-level delegation, including several ministers, on a two-day visit to Uzbekistan on February 22. This visit was particularly significant as the delegation of the Islamic Emirate officially participated in formal meetings under its own flag and was recognized as an official representative by the host country.

Key Topics Discussed During the Visit

1- Uzbekistan’s Investment in Afghanistan’s Mining Sector

Afghanistan possesses vast mineral reserves and rare elements that form the foundation of modern industries worldwide. Because of this, the region and global powers are increasingly focused on Afghanistan’s resources.

Uzbekistan expressed its keen interest in investing in Afghanistan’s mining sector, particularly in iron extraction. The officials of the Islamic Emirate also assured full cooperation in this area.

2- 500 kV Power Transmission Project from Uzbekistan to Afghanistan

Uzbekistan needs to sell electricity, and Afghanistan is one of its major buyers. During this visit, both sides emphasized the urgent implementation of the 500 kV power transmission project from Uzbekistan to Afghanistan.

Uzbekistan pledged to start the project within ten days of signing the agreement. It is noteworthy that all documents related to this project have already been finalized by Afghanistan and sent to Uzbekistan for final review.

3- Enhancing Trade Cooperation and Balancing Economic Exchanges

Trade volume between Afghanistan and Uzbekistan has significantly increased in recent years. In this visit, besides other topics, the two sides discussed creating a balance in bilateral trade.

The Islamic Emirate’s delegation encouraged Uzbekistan to increase purchases of Afghan agricultural and industrial products to help establish a more balanced trade relationship. The Uzbek side agreed and stated that a preferential trade agreement would soon be signed between the two countries to address this issue.

4- Establishing a Joint Market in Afghanistan

In discussions between the officials of the two countries, the importance of establishing a joint market inside Afghanistan, similar to the Termez trade hub in Uzbekistan, was emphasized.

This initiative would facilitate easier access for buyers to products from both countries and help create new business opportunities.

Islamic Emirate’s Plan for Expanding the Railway Network and Strengthening Economic Cooperation with Uzbekistan

The Islamic Emirate plans to expand its railway network from Hairatan to Herat and from there to Kandahar and Spin Boldak. This will connect Central Asia with South Asia, while also linking Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Iran, and Pakistan.

According to preliminary research, this new railway route is more cost-effective and shorter than the Afghan-Trans railway network, which starts from Hairatan, passes through central provinces, and connects to Pakistan in the Kharlachi area of Paktia province.

The “Afghan-Trans” route requires numerous tunnels due to its mountainous terrain, making implementation costly and time-consuming. In contrast, the new railway route passing through Afghanistan’s northern provinces primarily crosses flat land, making it easier to construct.

Survey and design work for the Herat-Kandahar phase of the project began in February. During the recent visit of the Deputy Economic Chief of the Prime Minister’s Office to Uzbekistan, the Uzbek government committed to sending its technical team to Afghanistan to survey and implement the Hairatan-Herat phase at its own expense.

5- Reducing Afghanistan’s Economic Dependence on Iran and Pakistan

Afghanistan has long relied on trade routes through Iran and Pakistan for its imports and exports, with most of its commercial goods transported via these countries’ sea routes to China.

Some neighboring countries have used Afghanistan’s trade dependency as a political tool. For example, during harvest seasons, some nations have blocked trade routes, causing Afghan farmers to suffer millions of dollars in losses.

This railway project is part of a broader plan to connect Afghanistan with China and Russia via Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan.

The new railway will reduce Afghanistan’s dependence on Iran and Pakistan while offering a faster and more cost-effective trade route.

Currently, Afghan goods transported through Iran and Pakistan take at least 40 days to reach China, whereas the new route will cut this down to 12–15 days. Additionally, transportation costs will be reduced by 15–20%.

Given its strategic importance, this railway project was one of the most critical topics discussed during the recent visit of the Islamic Emirate’s delegation to Uzbekistan.

6- Uzbekistan’s Investment in Afghanistan’s Agriculture

During the visit, Uzbekistan requested land for agricultural investment in Afghanistan. The northern regions of Afghanistan contain vast, fertile lands irrigated by the Qosh Tepa Canal.

Officials of the Islamic Emirate expressed readiness to allocate land to Uzbekistan to attract investment and strengthen economic ties.

It is still unclear what crops Uzbekistan plans to cultivate in these lands, but given the country’s interest in agricultural investments, it is likely that Uzbekistan will grow cotton or alfalfa for its textile industry.

These crops not only meet Uzbekistan’s industrial demands but also serve as an alternative to poppy cultivation in Afghanistan.

According to available information, Uzbekistan processes alfalfa for its own use and exports it to major markets in India.

Conclusion

Given the current state of trade and economic relations between Afghanistan and Uzbekistan, it is expected that the two countries will continue to expand their cooperation, particularly due to their shared religious, cultural, and linguistic ties.