The Kremlin announced that Russian President Vladimir Putin will travel to Tajikistan on 9 October for talks with President Emomali Rahmon, with Afghanistan expected to feature prominently on the agenda.
Semyon Grigoriev, Russia’s ambassador to Tajikistan, told local media that the situation in Afghanistan remains a “top priority” for both Moscow and Dushanbe.
“The issue of Afghanistan is of great importance for both sides,” Grigoryev said. “We attach particular significance to strengthening coordination with our Tajik partners on Afghanistan, both bilaterally and within key organisations such as the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation.”
He said Russian and Tajik security agencies maintain close cooperation on regional threats, while the two countries’ defence ministries are discussing efforts to boost the capacity of Russia’s 201st military base in Tajikistan and modernise Tajikistan’s armed forces with Russian assistance.
Grigoriev described the 201st base as a cornerstone of regional security, calling it “a crucial element of the Collective Security Treaty Organisation’s military infrastructure along the southern borders.”
Located near Dushanbe, the 201st base is Russia’s largest military installation outside its territory.
Since the Taliban’s return to power in Afghanistan in August 2021, the base has expanded its military exercises and upgraded its equipment.
Earlier, Russian Security Council Secretary Sergei Shoigu warned that more than 23,000 fighters from international terrorist groups are now based in Taliban-controlled Afghanistan, a development he said poses a “serious threat to regional and global security.”
