Iranian President Sayyid Ebrahim Raisi is set to embark on a two-day official visit to Tajikistan from November 7 to 8. This visit underscores the growing cooperation and mutual interests between the two nations.
Historical and Diplomatic Relations
Tajikistan and Iran have historically shared a strong and cordial relationship. Both nations are Persian-speaking and share cultural, religious, and ethnic similarities, making them akin to "one spirit in two bodies," as described by former Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. Iran was the first country to establish an embassy in Dushanbe, Tajikistan's capital, and was among the earliest nations to diplomatically recognize Tajikistan's independence in 1991.
During the civil war in Tajikistan, Iran offered to mediate between the warring factions, highlighting its role as a regional peacemaker. In 1995, Tajikistan reciprocated by opening its first embassy in Tehran, a significant step given its location outside the former Soviet Union. This mutual support and cooperation have evolved over the years, particularly in the energy sector, where Iran has played a vital role in supporting Tajikistan's hydropower infrastructure.
Reigniting Relations
After a period of strained relations, Tajikistan made concerted efforts to improve ties with Iran starting in early 2019. The thaw in relations became evident in late May of the same year when Tajik President Emomali Rahmon paid an official visit to Tehran. During this visit, 17 cooperation agreements were signed, encompassing political, economic, trade, transportation, investment, technology, environment, energy, sports, judiciary, research, training, and tourism sectors.
Additionally, in June 2022, Deputy Iranian Interior Minister for Security and Police Affairs Sayed Majid Mirahmadi visited Dushanbe to attend the first meeting of the joint security task force between the two countries, highlighting the growing security cooperation.
Recent Diplomatic Exchanges
In September 2023, President Rahmon and his Iranian counterpart, President Raisi, held discussions on the sidelines of the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York. Their talks focused on expanding bilateral cooperation and addressing mutual interests, including regional and international issues.
Both leaders expressed their commitment to tackling modern challenges such as terrorism, extremism, drug trafficking, transnational organized crime, and cybercrime. The common goal is to ensure the security and stability of their nations in the face of these threats.
Growing Trade Relations
According to data from the Agency for Statistics under the President of Tajikistan, the bilateral trade between Tajikistan and Iran in the first nine months of the year reached approximately $175.2mn, marking an 11.4% increase from the same period last year. This trade encompasses Tajikistan's exports to Iran, valued at $63.0mn, and Tajikistan's imports from Iran, totaling $112.2mn.
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