What are Kazakhstan's ambitions regarding Afghanistan?

It is important to note that on April 17, 2025, the Russian Federation officially removed the Taliban government from its list of terrorist organizations. In this context, Central Asian countries, including Kazakhstan, have begun to reassess their policy toward Afghanistan and are actively working to develop bilateral cooperation. During the visit, agreements were signed covering various sectors of the economy.

Kazakhstan’s deepening engagement with Afghanistan can be explained by several key factors:

1.TransitPotential. During his visit to Kabul, Serik Zhumangarin emphasized the importance of the 113-kilometer railway section “Torghundi-Herat,” which serves as a critical link in the route “Torghundi-Herat-Kandahar-Spin Boldak,” leading directly to the Indian Ocean. Kazakhstan expressed its willingness to invest in the construction of this segment and to establish a logistics company in Herat to manage it. Additionally, it was proposed to lay fiber-optic cables along the railway. The implementation of this project could transform Kazakhstan into a vital transit hub, through which routes from Russia to the Indian Ocean would pass. 

2. Access to a New Consumer Market. Kazakhstan is among the top ten largest trading partners of Afghanistan, with key exports including grain and flour. In recent years, there has been a notable increase in Kazakhstan’s sugar exports to Afghanistan. In 2024, sugar exports rose by 122 thousand tons, reaching a total of 143 thousand tons. This reflects an expansion of trade opportunities. There is also potential for increased exports of confectionery and flour-based products. Delivering these goods to the Afghan market with its population of over 41 million could bring Kazakhstan substantial economic benefits and further strengthen bilateral relations.

Moreover, according to official sources, on April 22, the second day of the visit, a joint Afghanistan-Kazakhstan business forum was held in Kabul with the participation of more than 400 entrepreneurs, companies, and business representatives from both countries. The signed memorandums covered areas such as logistics, healthcare, agriculture, engineering, mechanics, and construction.

During the visit, an agreement was also reached to form a joint group of technical experts to study mineral resources in Afghanistan. As part of this agreement, on April 14, a group of Kazakhstani geologists and engineers visited Afghanistan and, with the support of the Afghan Ministry, examined a number of mining sites. Ore samples weighing 130 kg were collected in Nuristan Province, where deposits of beryllium, lead, and zinc are believed to be located. These samples will be sent to laboratories in Kazakhstan for detailed analysis, after which negotiations on further development of the deposits are expected to begin.

In a broader context, Kazakhstan is not only strengthening bilateral economic relations with Afghanistan by positioning itself as a key transit route to the Indian Ocean, but also contributing to the formation of new logistical and infrastructural routes in Central Asia. The expansion of cooperation with Afghanistan could have a significant impact on the entire Central Asian region. On the one hand, it opens up prospects for southern transport corridors and diversification of foreign economic ties. On the other hand, the opening of the Afghan market may boost the export potential of neighboring countries such as Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Turkmenistan and lay the groundwork for deeper economic integration across Central Asia as a whole.

Shokhrukh Saidov,

Institute for Advanced International Studies