The Taliban's minister of border affairs has described the group's relations with Tajikistan, a supporter of the National Resistance Front, as "good" during a visit to Takhar, just a few days after the group’s deputy prime minister echoed the same sentiments.
Noorullah Noori said that the Taliban want good relations with all neighbouring countries.
According to a statement from the Ministry of Borders, Noori visited the port of Ay Khanum in Dasht-e-Qala-e-Takhar district and inspected its situation.
He is the second Taliban official to speak about improving relations with Tajikistan in the past week.
Earlier, Abdul Kabir, the Taliban's deputy prime minister, had announced the increase in the group's political relations with Tajikistan. He also said that delegations have traveled between the two countries. However, he did not provide an explanation in this regard.
The Taliban's political deputy prime minister reiterated, "Our political relations with Tajikistan are improving and there is a difference compared to the past. Their delegation has come here and our delegation has gone there, and God willing, there will be more such engagements. Our trade is also going on through Sher Khan Bandar and we have no problems."
Sources said that some Tajik security officials have recently visited Kabul and a Taliban security official has also visited Tajikistan.
Following statements by Taliban officials about improving relations with Tajikistan, the National Resistance Front (NRF) warned in a statement last week without mentioning these relations that Ansarullah, a Tajik militant group, is seeking to overthrow the government of President Emomali Rahmon in cooperation with the Taliban.
Ansarullah is an Islamist group opposed to the rule of Emomali Rahmon. The group pledged allegiance to the Taliban and participated in the war between the former government and foreign forces in Afghanistan. Tajikistan has always expressed concern about threats emanating from Afghan soil.
Tajikistan hosts the National Resistance Front and has supported the Taliban's opponents for the past three and a half years.
