Uzbekistan eyes Afghanistan as Central-South Asia bridge

KABUL (Pajhwok): Strengthening regional ties, Uzbekistan’s Foreign Minister says his country is ready to expand cooperation with Afghanistan in infrastructure, transit, energy and education, viewing Afghanistan as a key bridge between Central and South Asia.

Bakhtiyor Saidov, Uzbekistan’s Foreign Minister, wrote on X: “We had the great pleasure of meeting with H.E. Hasan Akhund, Acting Prime Minister of Afghanistan, and reaffirming Uzbekistan’s strong commitment to deepening relations with our brotherly neighbor.”

According to him, the meeting focused on expanding trade, humanitarian cooperation, and improving regional connectivity — including the signing of a Framework Agreement for the Uzbekistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan railway line, which he described as a vital step toward regional integration.

He reiterated Uzbekistan’s readiness to strengthen cooperation in key sectors and stressed that Afghanistan must serve as a strategic link between Central and South Asia.

The remarks came as a high-level Uzbek delegation, led by Saidov, arrived in Kabul on Thursday for an official visit to attend the trilateral meeting between Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Uzbekistan.

Alongside trilateral and bilateral talks with Afghan officials, the delegation also signed the feasibility study agreement for the Trans-Afghan railway project.

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