Plans for a potential railway line passing through Afghanistan are being actively discussed in Russia, despite ongoing instability in the region.

Speaking at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF), Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexey Overchuk said that talks continue regarding the construction of a rail corridor through Afghanistan, including a western route via Herat, The Caspian Post reports via TASS.

He noted that the project is not limited to rail infrastructure alone, but also includes discussions on pipelines and road networks, highlighting its potential as a broader transport and logistics corridor.

“The conversation about building a railway through Afghanistan is ongoing and very active,” Overchuk said during a session titled “Trade in Turbulent Times.”

At the same time, he acknowledged that regional conflicts have slowed progress on such initiatives. However, he suggested that instability often coincides with periods of increased attention to transport and logistics routes, as countries seek to reshape trade connections across Eurasia.