Relations between Uzbekistan and Tajikistan are consistently developing based on the principles of good neighborliness, mutual respect and strategic partnership. The historical, cultural and spiritual closeness of the peoples of the two countries serves as a solid foundation for strengthening interstate cooperation and expanding mutually beneficial cooperation.
Diplomatic relations between the two countries were established on October 22, 1992. Since then, the interstate dialogue has been consistently developing, having gained special dynamics and versatility in recent years.
Regular political dialogue at the highest level plays an important role in strengthening Uzbek-Tajik cooperation. A number of mutual visits were made by the leaders of the two countries, which gave a powerful impetus to the development of strategic partnership and the expansion of cooperation in key areas.
In particular, in March 2018, the President of Uzbekistan paid a state visit to Dushanbe, and in August of the same year, the President of Tajikistan paid a return visit. In June 2021, the head of Uzbekistan paid an official working visit to Tajikistan, and in June 2022, the President of Tajikistan paid an official visit to Uzbekistan. The next important stage in the development of the bilateral dialogue was the state visit of the President of Uzbekistan to Tajikistan on April 18-19, 2024.
The political dialogue between Uzbekistan and Tajikistan is characterized by high dynamics and regular contacts at the highest and highest levels.
The leaders of the two countries actively interact not only in a bilateral format, but also on the platforms of international and regional organizations. So, in 2025, the Presidents of Uzbekistan and Tajikistan participated in the Consultative Meeting of the Heads of State of Central Asia, held in Tashkent on November 16, as well as in the meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the CIS in Dushanbe on October 9-10 and in the informal meeting of the leaders of the CIS countries in St. Petersburg on December 22.
Active cooperation is also carried out within the framework of the "Central Asia+" formats. In particular, the two heads of state took part in the Central Asia-European Union summit, held on April 3-4, 2025 in Samarkand, and the Central Asia-Russia summit, held on October 9-10, 2025 in Dushanbe.
An important event in the development of regional cooperation was the trilateral meeting of the leaders of Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan, which took place on March 31, 2025 in Khujand. As a result of the negotiations, a historic Agreement was signed on the junction of the state borders of the three countries, and a Joint Declaration was adopted, consolidating the desire of the states to strengthen good-neighborly relations, mutual trust and sustainable development of the region.
The agreements reached were an important step in resolving long-standing border issues, as well as ensuring stability and expanding partnership in Central Asia. According to experts, these decisions will contribute to strengthening peace, security and increasing the international prestige of the region. The parties confirmed their commitment to expanding practical cooperation, including trade, transport, industry, green energy, water resources management and environmental protection, as well as cooperation between border regions and cultural and humanitarian ties.
Uzbekistan and Tajikistan actively cooperate in the international arena and support each other's initiatives within the framework of leading international and regional organizations, including the United Nations, the SCO, the OIC, the CIS, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea.
Within the framework of the United Nations, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan closely cooperate at the bilateral and multilateral levels. Tajikistan is a co-sponsor of a number of resolutions initiated by Uzbekistan aimed at strengthening peace, sustainable development, regional partnership, religious tolerance, tourism and ecology. In turn, Uzbekistan supported important initiatives of Tajikistan.
An important area of Uzbek-Tajik cooperation is the development of interparliamentary and interdepartmental relations, which contribute to strengthening political dialogue and ensure the effective implementation of the agreements reached.
In recent years, there has been a significant intensification of contacts between the parliaments of the two countries. Representatives of Uzbekistan participated as international observers in the CIS and SCO missions at the parliamentary and presidential elections in Tajikistan, which indicates a high level of trust and mutual support. Mutual visits of parliamentary delegations have become regular. Contacts within parliamentary friendship groups are actively developing. In 2025, meetings of the co-chairs of the friendship groups and negotiations at the parliamentary leadership level were held, and a number of online consultations were held between the relevant committees and commissions of the two countries.
Trade and economic cooperation between Uzbekistan and Tajikistan is one of the key areas of bilateral cooperation. The basis of economic relations is the Intergovernmental Free Trade Agreement signed in 1996, as well as the activities of the Uzbek-Tajik Intergovernmental Commission on Trade and Economic Cooperation, which has been operating since 2002.
In recent years, there has been a steady positive trend in mutual trade. By the end of 2025, the trade turnover between the two countries reached $912.3 million, which is 30 percent more than in the previous year. At the same time, exports from Uzbekistan amounted to 683 million dollars, and imports from Tajikistan - 229.3 million dollars.
The structure of bilateral trade is diverse. The key export directions of Uzbekistan are industrial goods, services, machinery and transport equipment, chemical products and mineral fuels. The structure of imports from Tajikistan is dominated by non-food raw materials, fuel and energy resources, machinery and equipment, and foodstuffs.
Investment cooperation is also developing. Currently, 343 enterprises with the participation of Tajik capital operate in Uzbekistan, including joint ventures and enterprises with 100% foreign capital. There are 71 companies operating in Tajikistan with the participation of Uzbek residents engaged in trade, production of building materials, food industry, transport and other services.
The volume of mutual investments has also increased significantly. Thus, in 2025, more than 427 million dollars of foreign investments and loans were disbursed within the framework of cooperation with Tajikistan, which is almost three times higher than in the previous period.
The development of transport infrastructure and the expansion of logistics links are important areas of Uzbek-Tajik cooperation. Cooperation in this area contributes to strengthening economic ties, increasing trade volumes and developing the transit potential of the region.
Cooperation between the railway and automobile administrations of Uzbekistan and Tajikistan is conducted through international transport organizations. Regular railway service from Dushanbe to Tashkent has been resumed since June 2022. In 2025, the volume of international cargo transportation reached 9.9 million tons, which is 12.7 percent more than in the previous year. The Intergovernmental Agreement of 2018 contributed to the expansion of automobile passenger and freight transportation. Currently, there are regular bus routes Tashkent - Khujand, Kokand - Shaidon, Dushanbe - Termez, Tashkent - Dushanbe, Samarkand - Panjikent and Dushanbe - Denau.
Cooperation in the field of air transportation is also actively developing. Currently, up to ten scheduled flights per week are operated between the two countries by Uzbekistan Airways, Centrum Air and Somon Air. In 2025, the air carriers of the two countries transported over 133 thousand passengers, which is 24 percent more than in the previous year.
Energy cooperation occupies an important place in the structure of bilateral relations between Uzbekistan and Tajikistan. The parties consistently develop cooperation in the field of rational use of water and energy resources, electricity generation and energy supplies.
Cultural and humanitarian cooperation plays a special role in Uzbek-Tajik relations and serves as an important factor in strengthening friendship and mutual understanding between the peoples of the two countries.
In recent years, there has been a significant intensification of cultural, educational and scientific exchanges. Cinema Days, cultural forums, conferences, theater tours and joint cultural events are regularly held, which contribute to the expansion of intercultural dialogue and the preservation of a common historical and cultural heritage.
Thus, over the years, Uzbek Cinema Days in Tajikistan and Tajik Cinema Days in Uzbekistan were organized, as well as cultural events with the participation of representatives of the creative intelligentsia of the two countries. Tajik delegations regularly take part in international cultural festivals held in our republic, including the Bakhshi and Sharq Taronalari art festivals, and international folk art forums.
Cooperation in the field of education and science is of particular importance. Scientific and practical conferences, meetings of scientists and representatives of academic circles are held. The construction of social facilities has become an important symbol of bilateral cooperation. In particular, Uzbekistan has built a school in the Sughd region of Tajikistan, as well as implemented projects to create medical infrastructure in the Kubodien district of Khatlon region, where a hospital and polyclinic have been built.
Considerable attention is paid to the development of youth contacts. Youth forums, environmental camps and educational events aimed at strengthening mutual understanding between the younger generation of the two countries are being organized.
IA “Dunyo”
