Yousuf Wafa, the Taliban governor of Balkh, called for stronger relations with Tajikistan during an official visit to Dushanbe on Thursday, according to a statement from his office.
Wafa, who the Taliban said traveled at the invitation of the Tajik government, met with senior officials and emphasized the Taliban’s commitment to preserving their Islamic rule.
“We want lasting friendship with Tajikistan,” Wafa said, calling for expanded diplomatic, economic, cultural, and scientific cooperation. He added that enhanced regional ties could support both economic development and stability.
He said Taliban “sacrificed over the past 20 years” to establish a “Sharia-based system” and are prepared to make further sacrifices to protect its survival and independence.
The visit marks a rare high-level Taliban engagement with a neighboring government that has been among the most outspoken critics of their rule. Tajikistan, which shares a porous 1,300-kilometer border with Afghanistan, has repeatedly raised concerns about extremist groups operating near its frontier.
Since the Taliban’s return to power in August 2021, Tajikistan has refused to recognize their rule, unlike some other Central Asian nations that have taken a more pragmatic approach. The two sides have seen sporadic tensions, including cross-border skirmishes and mutual accusations of harboring militants.
Despite these strained ties, Wafa’s visit may signal cautious interest in exploring mutual interests, particularly in trade and regional security. He also stressed that joint efforts were needed to combat terrorism—a message likely aimed at addressing Tajikistan’s long-standing security concerns.
