Russia, Turkmenistan, and Afghanistan to Sign Tripartite Transit Corridor Agreement in 2026
A tripartite agreement to establish a transit corridor between Russia (Republic of Tatarstan), Turkmenistan, and Afghanistan is scheduled to be signed in May 2026 at the Kazan Forum meeting. This corridor is envisioned as an alternative route to the North-South corridor.
Russian media, citing the head of the Russian Trade Center in Afghanistan, have reported that the use of the North-South corridor has faced difficulties due to existing problems in Iran. Consequently, establishing a new route has been put on the agenda.
According to Rustem Khabilulin, the initiative for this project was proposed by the Minister of Industry and Trade of the Taliban administration. It is anticipated that the first commercial shipments from Tatarstan will be transported via this new route.
Reports indicate that the proposed corridor could hold strategic importance for Russian exporters, as well as European and Asian companies seeking secure and alternative routes for transporting their goods. Due to its geographic position in the heart of Asia, Afghanistan has always been regarded as a vital link connecting Central Asia and South Asia.
