Tajikistan Expands Trade with Afghanistan Amid Border Challenges

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Tajikistan is shaping its relations with Afghanistan based strictly on the protection of its national interests. Foreign Minister Sirojiddin Muhriddin announced this during a press conference, emphasizing a strategic balance between economic pragmatism and rigorous security controls, reports Asiaplus.tj.

Despite political complexities, Dushanbe remains committed to regional stability and economic ties:

  • Trade Growth: Bilateral turnover has surpassed $110 million.
  • Resources and Markets: Cross-border markets have resumed operations, and Tajikistan continues to provide a steady supply of electricity to its neighbor.
  • Aid: Between 2024 and 2025, Tajikistan dispatched over 6,000 tons of humanitarian aid to Afghanistan following devastating earthquakes.

The Minister confirmed that security remains "critically important" due to a rise in armed clashes. Data from the Drug Control Agency highlights a tightening situation on the frontier during 2025:

Metric 2024 2025 Trend
Armed Clashes 6 17 Nearly 3x increase
Seized Narcotics 1.8 tons 2.7 tons +50%
Tajik Security Fatalities 0 2

The Foreign Minister noted that security structures from both nations have established working contacts to prevent further incidents. This cooperation has gained urgency following attacks in late 2025, which resulted in the deaths of five Chinese citizens. The Afghan side has assured Dushanbe of comprehensive investigations and a commitment to preventing future breaches.

"Our position remains unchanged: we want to see Afghanistan as a safe, stable, and prosperous country," Sirojiddin Muhriddin concluded.

CentralasianLIGHT.org

February 6, 2026