ТASHKENT, March 26. /Dunyo IA/. On March 26-27, President of Tajikistan, Emomali Rahmon, will pay a state visit to Uzbekistan, reports Dunyo IA correspondent.

Relations between Uzbekistan and Tajikistan are steadily developing on the basis of the principles of good-neighborliness, mutual respect and strategic partnership. The historical, cultural and spiritual closeness of the peoples of the two countries serves as a solid foundation for strengthening interstate cooperation and expanding mutually beneficial collaboration.

Diplomatic relations between the two countries were established on 22 October 1992. Since then, interstate dialogue has been steadily developing, gaining particular momentum and multidimensional depth in recent years.

Regular high-level political dialogue plays an important role in strengthening Uzbek - Tajik cooperation. In recent years, a series of reciprocal visits by the leaders of the two countries have taken place, providing a strong impetus for the development of the strategic partnership and the expansion of cooperation across key areas.

In particular, a state visit by the President of Uzbekistan to Dushanbe took place in March 2018, followed by a reciprocal visit by the President of Tajikistan in August of the same year. In June 2021, President of Uzbekistan paid an official working visit to Tajikistan, while in June 2022 the President of Tajikistan made an official visit to Uzbekistan. Another important milestone in the development of bilateral dialogue was the state visit of the President of Uzbekistan to Tajikistan on 18-19 April 2024.

The political dialogue between Uzbekistan and Tajikistan is marked by a high level of dynamism and is characterized by regular contacts at the highest and senior levels.

The leaders of the two countries actively cooperate not only in bilateral formats but also within international and regional organizations. In this regard, Presidents of Uzbekistan and Tajikistan participated in the Consultative Meeting of the Heads of State of Central Asia held in Tashkent on 16 November 2025, as well as in the meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) in Dushanbe on 9-10 October 2025 and in the informal meeting of CIS leaders in Saint Petersburg on 22 December 2025.

Active engagement is also carried out within the “Central Asia Plus” formats. In particular, Heads of State of the two countries participated in the “Central Asia – European Union” Summit held in Samarkand on 3-4 April 2025, as well as in the “Central Asia – Russia” Summit held in Dushanbe on 9-10 October 2025.

An important milestone in the development of regional cooperation was the trilateral meeting of the leaders of Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan held on 31 March 2025 in Khujand. Following the talks, a historic Treaty on the junction point of the state borders of the three countries was signed, along with a Joint Declaration reaffirming the commitment of the states to strengthening good-neighborly relations, mutual trust and the sustainable development of the region.

The agreements reached represent an important step in resolving long-standing border issues and in strengthening stability and partnership in Central Asia. According to experts, these decisions will contribute to peace, security and the growing international standing of the region. The parties reaffirmed their commitment to expanding practical cooperation, including the development of trade, transport, industry, green energy, water resources and environmental protection, as well as strengthening ties between border regions and enhancing cultural and humanitarian cooperation.

Uzbekistan and Tajikistan actively cooperate on the international stage and support each other’s initiatives within major international and regional organizations, including United Nations, Shanghai Cooperation Organization, Organization of Islamic Cooperation, Commonwealth of Independent States, Economic Cooperation Organization and International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea.

Within the framework of the United Nations, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan maintain close cooperation at both bilateral and multilateral levels. Tajikistan is a co-sponsor of a number of resolutions initiated by Uzbekistan, aimed at strengthening peace, sustainable development, regional cooperation, religious tolerance, tourism and environmental protection. In turn, Uzbekistan has supported important initiatives put forward by Tajikistan.

An important area of Uzbek-Tajik cooperation is the development of inter-parliamentary and inter-agency relations, which contribute to strengthening political dialogue and ensuring the effective implementation of the agreements reached.

In recent years, there has been a significant intensification of contacts between the parliaments of the two countries. Representatives of Uzbekistan have participated as international observers in missions of the CIS and Shanghai Cooperation Organization during parliamentary and presidential elections in Tajikistan, reflecting a high level of mutual trust and support. Reciprocal visits of parliamentary delegations have become regular. Contacts within parliamentary friendship groups are actively developing. In 2025, meetings of the co-chairs of friendship groups and talks at the level of parliamentary leadership were held, along with a series of online consultations between relevant committees and commissions of the two countries.

Trade and economic cooperation between Uzbekistan and Tajikistan is one of the key areas of bilateral interaction. The foundation of economic relations is the Intergovernmental Agreement on Free Trade signed in 1996, as well as the activities of the Uzbek-Tajik Intergovernmental Commission on Trade and Economic Cooperation, which has been operating since 2002.

In recent years, a steady positive dynamic in mutual trade has been observed. In 2025, trade turnover between the two countries reached 912.3 million USD, marking a 30 percent increase compared to the previous year. Uzbekistan’s exports amounted to 683 million USD, while imports from Tajikistan totaled 229.3 million USD.

The structure of bilateral trade is diversified. The main categories of Uzbekistan’s exports include industrial goods, services, machinery and transport equipment, chemical products, and mineral fuels. Imports from Tajikistan primarily consist of non-food raw materials, fuel and energy resources, machinery and equipment, as well as food products.

Investment cooperation is also developing. Currently, 343 enterprises with Tajik capital operate in Uzbekistan, including joint ventures and wholly foreign-owned companies. In Tajikistan, there are 71 companies with Uzbek residents involved in trade, construction materials manufacturing, the food industry, transportation and other services.

The volume of mutual investment has also grown significantly. In 2025, more than 427 million USD in foreign investment and loans were utilized as part of the cooperation with Tajikistan, nearly triple the figures from the previous period.

The development of transport infrastructure and the expansion of logistical ties remain a vital direction of Uzbek-Tajik cooperation. Interaction in this sphere contributes to stronger economic bonds, increased trade volumes and the development of the region's transit potential.

Cooperation between the railway and road transport authorities of Uzbekistan and Tajikistan is carried out through international transport organizations. Since June 2022, regular rail services on the Dushanbe–Tashkent route have been resumed. In 2025, volume of international freight transportation reached 9.9 million tons, representing a 12.7% increase compared to the previous year. Intergovernmental Agreement of 2018 contributed to the expansion of road passenger and freight transportation. Currently, regular bus routes operate on the following lines: “Tashkent – Khujand,” “Kokand – Shai don”, “Dushanbe – Termez”, “Tashkent – Dushanbe”, “Samarkand – Panjakent” and “Dushanbe – Denau”.

Air transport cooperation is also actively developing. At present, up to 10 regular flights per week are operated between the two countries by “Uzbekistan Airways”, “Centrum Air” and “Somon Air”. In 2025, airlines of both countries carried over 133,000 passengers, which is a 24 percent increase compared to the previous year.

Energy cooperation occupies an important place in the structure of bilateral relations between Uzbekistan and Tajikistan. The parties are consistently developing cooperation in the rational use of water and energy resources, electricity generation and energy supply.

Cultural and humanitarian cooperation holds a special place in Uzbek–Tajik relations and serves as an important factor in strengthening friendship and mutual understanding between the peoples of the two countries.

In recent years, there has been a significant intensification of cultural, educational and scientific exchanges. Film days, cultural forums, conferences, theatre tours, and joint cultural events are regularly organized, contributing to the expansion of intercultural dialogue and the preservation of shared historical and cultural heritage.

Thus, in different years, “Uzbekistan Film Days” were organized in Tajikistan and “Tajikistan Film Days” were held in Uzbekistan, along with cultural events involving representatives of the creative intelligentsia of both countries. Tajik delegations regularly participate in international cultural festivals held in Uzbekistan, including Bakhshi Art Festival, “Sharq Taronalari” and international forums of folk art.

Cooperation in the fields of education and science holds particular significance. Scientific and practical conferences, as well as meetings of scholars and representatives of academic communities, are regularly held. A notable symbol of bilateral cooperation has been the construction of social infrastructure facilities. In particular, Uzbekistan built a school in the Sughd Region of Tajikistan and implemented projects to develop medical infrastructure in the Kubodiyon District, where a hospital and polyclinics were constructed.

Significant attention is paid to the development of youth contacts. Youth forums, environmental camps and educational events are organized to strengthen mutual understanding between the younger generations of the two countries.

The Tajik diaspora in Uzbekistan plays an important role in the development of cultural and humanitarian ties. National cultural centers, educational institutions and media outlets in the Tajik language operate in the country.

In particular, in Uzbekistan, 253 schools provide education in the Tajik language, and several universities have established Tajik-language study groups. In addition, print publications, as well as television and radio programs in the Tajik language, are produced, contributing to the preservation of national culture and traditions.

Today, Uzbek-Tajik relations demonstrate a steady dynamic of development and encompass a wide range of areas of interaction - from political dialogue and economic cooperation to cultural and humanitarian exchanges.

Regular high-level contacts, active engagement within international organizations, the growth of mutual trade and the development of joint infrastructure projects all attest to the high level of strategic partnership between the two states.

The historical and cultural closeness of the peoples of Uzbekistan and Tajikistan, as well as the parties’ shared commitment to further deepening cooperation on the basis of mutual respect, trust and consideration of each other’s interests, play an important role in strengthening bilateral ties.

There is no doubt that the upcoming Uzbek-Tajik summit at the highest level will contribute to strengthening stability, security, and sustainable development not only of the two countries, but of the entire Central Asian region.

Photo from the archive of the Press Service of the President of Uzbekistan