Russia has emerged as one of Tajikistan’s foremost trade partners, with bilateral trade growing by over 7% to $1.5bn in 2024. Russia has over 300 enterprises in Tajikistan, with total capital investments of $1.6bn, as Vladimir Putin announced during his meeting with Emomali Rahmon.
Tajikistan’s president paid a two-day visit to Moscow to meet Vladimir Putin and discuss prospects of bilateral cooperation between the countries on March 17. Following Russian-Tajikistani talks, Vladimir Putin and Emomali Rahmon made statements for the press as reported on Russia’s President’s official website.
Russian president described Russia-Tajikistan relations as a true strategic partnership and alliance. He detailed developments in economic, industrial, and humanitarian cooperation, supporting his points with concrete examples and statistics.
Putin highlighted the ease of fast cross-border money transfers between the two countries and the transition to ruble-based transactions, now making up over 96% of commercial exchanges. As part of last year’s economic cooperation programs, Russia and Tajikistan have developed an action plan to increase bilateral trade turnover 2.5 times by 2030.
Additionally, he emphasized Russia’s support in the oil sector, with Gazprom Neft’s oil depots and petrol stations actively operating and contributing to Tajikistan’s tax revenue.
Putin expressed gratitude for Tajikistan’s recognition of Russian as the language of interethnic communication. He highlighted the five Russian-curriculum schools in Tajikistan, educating 5,500 students, and the 100 Russian teachers sent under the Russian Teacher Abroad project. Currently, 35,000 Tajik students are enrolled in Russian universities.
Both presidents attended the virtual inauguration of the International Educational Centre for Talented Children. Putin also announced that Emomali Rahmon has accepted an invitation to attend the 80th anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War in Moscow on May 9.
Russia supports Tajikistan’s hydropower development, with the Sangtuda hydroelectric power station contributing 12 percent of the country's electricity. Moreover, it was stated that Russian companies are prepared to help maintain and upgrade Tajikistan's power generation capacities using advanced technology and environmental standards.
The speech concluded with a discussion on security challenges in Central Asia, particularly threats from Afghanistan. Russia reaffirmed its commitment to Tajikistan’s stability through the 201st Russian military base stationed in the country.
Tajik President Emomali Rahmon expressed agreement with Putin’s statements and gratitude for Russia’s support. He also emphasized the need for a joint expert expedition to assess Tajikistan’s rapidly melting glaciers, which supply 60% of Central Asia’s water resources. Additionally, he stressed the importance of strengthening energy sector cooperation.
Emomali Rahmon concluded his speech by expressing satisfaction with the negotiations, hoping for a deepened long-term partnership between the two nations.
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