A high-level delegation of Tajik security and foreign ministry officials arrived in Kabul on Saturday, marking the first official visit by senior Tajik government representatives to Afghanistan since the Taliban’s return to power in August 2021.
According to the Taliban-controlled state broadcaster, the visit aims to strengthen political, economic, and security ties between the two neighboring countries. The delegation is expected to meet with Taliban officials to discuss bilateral cooperation, the future of Afghanistan’s embassy in Dushanbe, and other unresolved issues.
Tajikistan has been among the most vocal regional critics of the Taliban, frequently raising security concerns about presence of terrorist groups in Afghanistan. The country, a member of the Russia-led Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), previously called for the reinforcement of border defenses and secured backing for its proposals within the CSTO framework.
This weekend’s visit by Tajik officials follows a recent diplomatic overture by the Taliban. Late last month, Yousuf Wafa, the Taliban governor of Balkh province, led a delegation to Dushanbe for discussions on regional trade and cross-border infrastructure. It was a rare high-profile trip by a Taliban official to a Central Asian capital.
