Saimumin Yatimov, Chairman of the National Security Committee of Tajikistan (GKNB), held a meeting in Dushanbe with Yusuf Wafa, the Governor of Balkh Province in Afghanistan. According to Afghan media reports, the discussions focused on strengthening bilateral relations, particularly in the areas of security and intelligence cooperation, as well as combating terrorist groups and drug trafficking networks.
Yusuf Wafa, formerly the head of Kandahar and now a close associate of the Taliban leader Hibatullah Akhundzada, reportedly visited Dushanbe at the invitation of the Tajik government.
Amu.tv cited a Balkh governor's spokesperson as saying that Wafa emphasized the importance of restoring and enhancing diplomatic, Islamic, cultural, political, economic, social, trade, and scientific ties between the two countries.
He noted that strengthening economic and scientific relations between the Taliban and neighboring countries could lead to Afghanistan's economic success and foster regional cooperation. Wafa also stated that security and stability in Afghanistan are not only beneficial for the country itself but also for its neighboring states, highlighting the need for regional collaboration to fight terrorism.
“We do not use our territory against any country, nor do we allow others to do so,” Wafa said, according to Afghanistan International. He also remarked that the Taliban had suffered significant losses in the fight against ISIS before taking control of Afghanistan and that they are currently preventing ISIS activities to maintain regional stability.
The spokesperson for the Balkh governor’s office reportedly added that the head of Tajikistan’s intelligence services assured Wafa that Tajikistan and Afghanistan would continue to live in peace and friendship as brotherly nations. Yatimov confirmed that Tajikistan would not allow any hostile elements to use its territory to threaten Afghanistan.
During the meeting, Wafa reportedly also proposed simplifying the visa process for Afghan citizens and lowering visa costs.
This meeting marks one of the rare official interactions between Tajik officials and representatives of the Taliban-led government of Afghanistan. Earlier, in September 2024, Afghan media reported on talks between Saimumin Yatimov and senior Taliban intelligence and military leaders in Kabul. At that time, Tajik officials did not comment on the meeting.
Additionally, in mid-September, Afghan media reported that Tajikistan's Ambassador to Afghanistan, Said Sharifi, visited the earthquake-affected Kunar province, where he participated in delivering humanitarian aid from the Tajik government to the local population.
Tajikistan remains the only Central Asian country without official political relations with the Taliban. The movement is designated a terrorist organization by the Tajik government, while Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan have removed this designation. Tajikistan does not recognize the Taliban government officially and remains the only Central Asian nation that has not transferred control of the Afghan embassy in Dushanbe to the Taliban. However, it was reported earlier that the Afghan consulate in Khorog has been handed over to a representative of Kabul’s new authorities.
Despite these political differences, Tajikistan continues to maintain trade relations with Afghanistan and provides humanitarian aid to the country.
