Transitioning from a Buffer State to a Global Hub | Interview with Russia 24

Keypoints: 

• Wealth Paradox: A rich nation kept poor by systemic conflict.
• Asian Roundabout: Shifting from a "buffer state" to a regional transit hub.
• Transnational Terror: A "mutated" threat of foreign fighters destabilizing their home regions.
• Security Shield: Afghan forces protecting the world on the front lines.
• Criminal Economy: Narcotics acting as the global financial engine for terror.
• The Need for Speed: Replacing slow bureaucracy with a rapid, unified response.
• Political Peace: A national framework aimed at tangible violence reduction.
• Cooperation, Not Competition: A platform for partnership, not proxy rivalries.

Correspondent: Good morning, Mr. President. Afghanistan became an observer of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) in 2012. In which specific spheres is Afghanistan seeking deeper integration?

President Ghani: Thank you. First, let me extend my greetings to the Russian people and thank President Putin for hosting these pivotal SCO and BRICS summits.

The SCO possesses a profound vision: the creation of an intercontinental Euro-Asian economic bridge. Afghanistan’s interest is foundational. We seek to realize our destiny as the Asian Roundabout—the central hub for trade, transit, and investment. Positioned at the critical junction of South, Central, and West Asia, we are the ideal point of connectivity.

Furthermore, the SCO has demonstrated that seemingly intractable security challenges are solvable. Russia and China transformed a contested border into a frontier of cooperation. Our region now faces a symbiotic threat of terrorism, narcotics, and extremism—a "pathology" that no single state can cure in isolation. We also focus on Human Capital; Afghan youth studying across SCO member states are our "Goodwill Ambassadors," bridging our diverse cultures.

Correspondent: Does Afghanistan intend to seek full permanent membership?

President Ghani: Indeed. We are currently navigating the preparatory phases and technical requirements. We are encouraged by the consensus and support among the current heads of state.

Correspondent: How do you evaluate the current state of Russia-Afghanistan cooperation?

President Ghani: Our cooperation is constructive, but its potential is largely untapped. While Russia remains our fourth-largest trading partner, there is a significant trade asymmetry—Russian exports exceed $1 billion, while Afghan exports remain marginal. We must move beyond episodic trade toward a structural economic partnership.

Correspondent: What concrete steps are needed to stabilize this fluctuating economic relationship?

President Ghani: We must focus on Regional Infrastructure. Without a coherent railway network, the integration of Europe and Asia remains a theoretical exercise. This is where the New Development Bank (BRICS Bank) becomes essential.

Afghanistan is a resource-rich country; our natural wealth is estimated at $3 trillion. Russia has the legacy of early geological surveys and the technical expertise required to help us unlock this potential. By removing bureaucratic barriers to investment, we can transform our bilateral commerce.

Correspondent: Can you name specific projects?

President Ghani: The Salang Tunnel is our most vital artery, connecting North to South, yet it is in a state of decay. Its reconstruction is a priority. Additionally, reviving the energy corridors that once linked us to the Soviet Union is vital. Projects like TAPI (Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India) and large-scale water management are not just Afghan projects—they are regional stability projects.

Correspondent: Which is more critical: Security or the fight against Narcotics?

President Ghani: They are two sides of the same coin. The Narcotics Economy is a chain: production, processing, transit, and consumption. Russia is a primary victim of the consumption end of this chain.

We cannot defeat this threat through force alone; we must replace it with Economic Prosperity. A worker earns $4 a day in legitimate labor but $16 in the drug fields. We must create a vibrant middle class and modernize our agriculture to break the financial "bedding" of the criminal economy.

Correspondent: You are meeting President Putin today. What is the agenda?

President Ghani: Consensus Building on three levels: Bilateral, Regional, and Global. Afghanistan has become the frontline against a mutated, globalized terror. This threat targets Moscow, Beijing, and Delhi just as it targets Kabul. We are fighting on behalf of the world, but the world must move from fragmented responses to a unified strategy.

Correspondent: Regarding the recent direct talks with the Taliban—will they succeed?

President Ghani: For the first time in 14 years, we have achieved direct, face-to-face dialogue. This is a critical psychological breakthrough. We have three objectives: sustaining the process, identifying core issues, and Confidence-Building Measures (CBMs)—specifically the reduction of violence. My responsibility as President is to end the unnecessary shedding of Afghan blood and secure a peace that guarantees regional stability.

Correspondent: Is Daesh (ISIS) a major global threat?

President Ghani: Daesh is a mutated entity, fundamentally different from Al-Qaeda. Over the last 14 years, terror has become more disciplined, wealthier, and more brutal. Their goal is the destruction of social sociability and the creation of systematic terror.

The problem is that terrorism moves with precision and speed, while the response of states remains fragmented and slow. We must synchronize our response. No single government can extinguish this flame, but with a unified political will and shared intelligence, we can dismantle the "Ecology of Terror."

Correspondent: Can you overcome this threat?

President Ghani: Absolutely. We can prevail the moment we choose cooperation over competition. If we stop focusing on the minor frictions that divide us and focus on the existential threats that bind us, we can form a unified front.

Correspondent: Thank you, Mr. President.