Our position on Afghanistan remains unchanged – Tajikistan

Earlier, reports emerged of a deadly shooting on the Tajikistan–Afghanistan border. Following the incident, Tajik Foreign Minister Sirojiddin Muhriddin held a press conference and spoke about relations with Afghanistan.

According to the minister, Tajikistan is building its relations with Afghanistan based on protecting its national interests.

“We believe every sovereign state has the right to pursue policies in line with its national interests. From this perspective, many countries, including those bordering Afghanistan, are establishing cooperation with this neighboring state based on their own national interests,” he said.

He added that border markets in Dushanbe have reopened and that electricity supplies to Afghanistan are continuing. He also noted that bilateral trade between the two countries is growing and exceeded $110 million in 2025.

The minister said Tajikistan welcomes international cooperation aimed at addressing the region’s socio-economic challenges and urged the international community not to abandon Afghanistan during its severe humanitarian crisis.

“Our position on Afghanistan remains unchanged. We want to see Afghanistan as a safe, stable, peaceful, and prosperous country,” he said.

Commenting on the increase in armed incidents along the border over the past two months, Muhriddin said law enforcement agencies from both countries are working together to prevent incidents along the state border.

In 2025, there were 17 armed clashes between Tajik law enforcement agencies and Afghan smugglers on the Tajikistan–Afghanistan border, compared with six in 2024. These clashes resulted in the deaths of 10 Afghan nationals and two Tajik border guards.

Last year, nine Afghan nationals were detained while attempting to smuggle drugs into Tajikistan. In total, Tajik border guards seized 2 tons and 742 kilograms of narcotics along the border in 2025, compared with 1 ton and 824 kilograms in 2024. Of the total seized, 2 tons and 566 kilograms were confiscated along the border with Khatlon region, while 186 kilograms were seized along the border with the Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Region.

The latest shooting on the Tajik–Afghan border occurred on January 31 this year. Three Afghan smugglers were killed at the scene, while two others managed to escape back to Afghanistan under cover of darkness.

E’zoza Olimova