Russia Prioritizes Strengthening Tajikistan-Afghanistan Border, Defense Minister Says

DID Press: Russian Defense Minister Andrey Belousov has said that strengthening security along Tajikistan’s border with Afghanistan is a priority for Moscow, adding that Russia’s military base in Tajikistan remains on alert to counter external threats.

Belousov said Moscow and Dushanbe were expanding security and military cooperation, with particular attention being paid to strengthening the Tajikistan-Afghanistan border. He made the remarks at a ceremony in Moscow marking the 35th anniversary of Tajikistan’s independence.

Belousov said Russia was expanding security cooperation through the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) and the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), while giving special attention to the Tajik-Afghan border.

He described Tajikistan as a “strategic partner” of Russia and said the 201st Russian military base in Tajikistan was on standby to respond to external threats. He added that close coordination between Moscow and Dushanbe over the use of the base had been maintained.

The remarks followed a recent meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Tajik President Emomali Rahmon. Putin said Moscow was aware of Dushanbe’s concerns over the situation in Afghanistan and that the two countries remained in close contact on security issues.

Tajikistan has repeatedly expressed concern in recent months about security threats along its roughly 1,300-km border with Afghanistan. Moscow has also expanded security cooperation with Dushanbe since the Taliban returned to power and has warned about the potential spread of instability and terrorist threats from Afghanistan into Central Asia.

In this context, the CSTO is also working on a program to strengthen the Tajikistan-Afghanistan border, with military and technical equipment expected to be provided to improve Tajikistan’s border-security capabilities.