In a sign of warming relations between Tajikistan and Afghanistan’s Taliban, a Tajik delegation visited Kunduz and held talks with Taliban officials on security, intelligence and political matters.
The delegation travelled to the northern Afghan province at the Taliban’s invitation. The visit follows an earlier trip by Yousuf Wafa, the Taliban governor of Balkh and a close aide to the group’s supreme leader Hibatullah Akhundzada, who visited Dushanbe at Tajikistan’s invitation.
According to Taliban state media, Fayzollahzoda, the deputy governor of Tajikistan’s Khatlon region, met with Mohammad Khan, the Taliban governor of Kunduz. Intelligence, security, trade and economic officials from both sides also attended the meeting.
In addition to security and economic issues, the two sides discussed visa arrangements and consular services for traders from both countries.
Tajikistan has been the only Central Asian state that maintains limited diplomatic engagement with the Taliban. However, after nearly four years, ties between Dushanbe and the Taliban administration appear to be gradually thawing.
Dushanbe maintains close ties with Afghan armed opposition groups but has recently sought to establish limited contact with the Taliban as well.
No high-ranking officials from either Tajikistan or Taliban-controlled Afghanistan have yet made official visits to each other’s countries. However, sources told Afghanistan International that Tajikistan’s intelligence chief made a secret visit to Afghanistan.
The reported visit by Saimumin Yatimov, Tajikistan’s national security chief, indicates that security concerns particularly over the presence of Tajik militant group Ansarullah in Afghanistan remain a key priority for President Emomali Rahmon’s government.
Earlier, the Taliban governor of Balkh visited Tajikistan and called for the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries. He also urged greater cooperation to counter security threats, saying instability in Afghanistan would harm all neighbouring states.
