Afghanistan

Tajik Official: Talks with Russia focused on security challenges from Afghanistan

DUSHANBE, Tajikistan — Tajikistan and Russia have centered their recent inter-parliamentary discussions on security concerns stemming from Afghanistan, according to Tajik Deputy Foreign Minister Sodiq Imomi. The talks highlighted the growing instability in Afghanistan following the withdrawal of Western forces, Imomi noted, describing the situation as increasingly “contradictory.”

“Our security cooperation is heavily focused on the problem posed by Afghanistan,” Imomi said, as reported by Russia’s TASS news agency. He emphasized that the spread of radical ideologies from Afghanistan is seriously impacting regional stability and warned against harboring “any illusions about the objectives of Afghan authorities.”

Imomi pointed to the expansion of extremist groups and a rise in drug trafficking as major concerns, calling for regional cooperation to address these threats. He underscored that a peaceful solution in Afghanistan requires an inclusive government that involves all political and ethnic factions.

The deputy foreign minister also expressed Tajikistan’s support for humanitarian assistance to the Afghan people, who he noted have suffered for years under instability and conflict.

As a neighboring country, Tajikistan has been vocal about the threats of terrorism and narcotics originating from Afghanistan since the Taliban took power. High-ranking Tajik officials have consistently called on the international community to back the formation of an inclusive government in Afghanistan to help secure long-term peace and stability.