Tajikistan’s Ambassador to Afghanistan, Saadi Sharifi, has met with the Taliban government’s Foreign Minister, Amir Khan Muttaqi. The information was reported on February 12 by the Taliban’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
According to the statement, the parties discussed strengthening border security, expanding diplomatic contacts and delegations’ exchanges, the format of meetings of the Joint Economic Committee, and plans for cooperation between the foreign ministries of the two countries in the coming year.
There has been no official comment from the Tajik authorities regarding the meeting.
As noted in the report, Saadi Sharifi emphasized that Tajikistan has important economic programs and projects in the border area. He also stated that Dushanbe “proceeds from existing realities and seeks to expand relations with Kabul.”
According to the Afghan side, the ambassador also briefed the Taliban foreign minister on progress in implementing previous agreements between Dushanbe and Kabul. However, the specific agreements were not disclosed.
For his part, Amir Khan Muttaqi reportedly reaffirmed his commitment to expanding cooperation with Tajikistan. “No one will be able to harm the friendly relations and atmosphere of trust between neighboring countries,” he said.
Muttaqi added that Afghanistan and Tajikistan, as neighboring, brotherly, and Muslim countries with deep cultural and linguistic ties, could take advantage of emerging opportunities to expand cooperation, particularly in the political, economic, and trade spheres.
This marks the second reported meeting between Tajikistan’s ambassador and senior Taliban representatives, according to Afghan media. In September 2025, the diplomat visited Kunar province, where he held talks with a regional Taliban leader.
None of these meetings have been officially commented on by the Tajik side.
Earlier, Tajikistan’s foreign minister stated at a press conference that the country, as Afghanistan’s neighbor, builds its policy based on national interests and seeks to see Afghanistan as a safe, stable, and prosperous state.
Although Dushanbe officially maintains that it has no direct relations with the Taliban, recent reports of meetings and consultations suggest a gradual development of practical engagement between the two sides.