[Central Asia] Tajikistan Diplomacy

Today, let's take a brief look at Tajikistan's diplomatic relations.

Foreign Relations

1) "Open Door" Policy

- Located at a geopolitical crossroads connecting Central Asia, South Asia, and China, Tajikistan needs to strengthen friendly relations with neighboring powers to counter pressures and secure its independence.

- The "Open Door" policy forms the basis of its foreign policy, aiming to diversify diplomacy through cooperation with all countries based on equality and mutual benefit.

2) Pro-Russian Foreign Relations

- Russia wields strong influence over Tajikistan politically, economically, culturally, and in terms of security. Tajikistan's foreign relations are fundamentally pro-Russian.

- Tajikistan actively participates in multilateral treaty organizations led by Russia, such as the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) and Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) meetings, and is considering joining the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU).

3) Leadership in Water Resources and Counter-Terrorism Discussions

- As an upstream country in Central Asia, Tajikistan leads international cooperation and seeks support for resolving water resource issues shared among the five Central Asian countries.

- Sharing a 1,200 km border with Afghanistan, Tajikistan holds high-level international meetings to combat Islamic extremism, drug trafficking, and transnational crime originating from Afghanistan.

Relations with Major Countries

1) Russia

- A traditional ally, Russia influences Tajikistan in politics, economics, security, and culture. Recognizing Tajikistan's strategic value as a front line against Islamic forces and drug routes from Afghanistan.

- In April 2019, President Rahmon visited Russia to discuss enhancing cooperation in economics, security, labor, agriculture, and education, signing 17 cooperation documents.

- Over one million Tajiks work in Russia, with their remittances accounting for 35-45% of Tajikistan's GDP, highlighting economic dependence on Russia.

- Russia maintains its largest military base in Central Asia in Tajikistan, with around 7,000 troops stationed there.

2) United States

- The US provides around $50 million annually in aid, considering Tajikistan's importance in solving the Afghan issue, countering China's rise, and its geopolitical significance.

- The US collaborates with the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) to prevent illegal drug trafficking through Tajikistan and strengthens border controls with Afghanistan.

3) China

- China values Tajikistan's geopolitical position as a transit route for Central Asian resources and has been expanding its influence through the "New Silk Road" diplomacy.

- China provides significant grants and loans for infrastructure projects (roads, tunnels, power plants) and is Tajikistan's largest investor and third-largest trading partner.

- In January 2011, Tajikistan ceded 3.5% of its eastern Pamir region (1,100 km²) to China, ending a 130-year territorial dispute by ratifying a border demarcation agreement.

4) Uzbekistan

- Post-Soviet Union, both nations experienced conflicts over historical claims, ethnic issues, and water resource utilization.

- Uzbekistan opposed Tajikistan's large hydropower projects, citing concerns over agricultural water shortages and potential flooding from dam failures. In response, Uzbekistan blocked cargo railways, limited gas and electricity supplies, increased railway transit fees, closed direct flights, tightened border controls, and raised customs tariffs.

- Since the September 2016 succession of President Mirziyoyev, Uzbekistan prioritized improving relations with neighboring Central Asian countries, significantly enhancing bilateral ties through high-level diplomacy.

5) Iran

- Sharing historical, linguistic, religious, and cultural ties, Iran was the first to establish a permanent diplomatic mission in Tajikistan upon its independence, maintaining close political, economic, and cultural cooperation.

- Relations soured after Iran invited the leader of the banned Islamic Renaissance Party of Tajikistan (IRPT) in December 2015, but efforts are ongoing to improve economic cooperation.

6) Afghanistan

- With a 1,200 km shared border and cultural similarities, Tajikistan and Afghanistan maintain friendly relations, cooperating on drug trafficking, terrorism, extremism, and transnational crime, and enhancing border security.

- At the September 2011 four-nation summit in Dushanbe, leaders from Afghanistan, Pakistan, Russia, and Tajikistan discussed regional security issues and economic cooperation.

7) European Union

- The EU adopted a "New Partnership Strategy" in June 2007, establishing a comprehensive cooperation framework with Central Asia, including Tajikistan.

- Under the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (PCA), the EU provided $227 million in aid from 2014-2020, focusing on education, healthcare, and regional development in Tajikistan.

8) South Korea

- Bilateral trade amounted to $23.82 million in 2018, down from a peak of $133.78 million in 2010.

- On June 29, 2020, the Korea-Central Asia Cooperation Forum Secretariat signed an online MOU with the Korea International Trade Association and the five Central Asian countries to establish an economic council.

- In 2021, Speaker of the National Assembly Park Byeong-seok visited Tajikistan, discussing cooperation in hydropower with President Rahmon and Chairman Rustam Emomali, agreeing to involve South Korean companies in hydropower projects and establishing a direct flight route between the two countries.

This overview of Tajikistan's diplomacy is based on fundamental data.