The Secretary-General of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), Taalatbek Masadykov, has visited Tajikistan to discuss the implementation of a joint border security programme aimed at strengthening protection along the country’s border with Afghanistan, according to a statement issued by the CSTO on Monday.
During the visit, the CSTO Secretary-General held high-level meetings with senior Tajik border security officials and conducted on-site inspections of key border installations. His engagements included visits to border outposts, a major crossing point, and ongoing construction work on a new road in the mountainous Shuroobod region, which forms part of broader efforts to enhance border infrastructure and operational readiness.
The discussions primarily focused on advancing the CSTO’s long-term strategic programme designed to reinforce the Tajikistan–Afghanistan border through improved surveillance systems, upgraded infrastructure, and enhanced coordination among member states. The organization has described this initiative as a central pillar of its regional security strategy.
The CSTO emphasized that strengthening border security in the region remains a key priority amid evolving security dynamics along Afghanistan’s northern frontier. Member states are working collectively to improve response capabilities and prevent potential cross-border security threats.
Since the return of the Taliban to power in Afghanistan in 2021, Tajik authorities have repeatedly expressed concerns regarding the security situation along the shared border, citing risks associated with the alleged presence of militant groups operating in northern Afghanistan. The Taliban, however, have consistently rejected such allegations, maintaining that Afghan territory will not be used to threaten neighboring countries.
Border security continues to remain a sensitive and strategically significant issue in relations between Dushanbe and Kabul. While limited engagement persists in economic and humanitarian areas, political relations remain strained. Tajikistan continues to advocate for stronger regional mechanisms to prevent cross-border instability, as regional stakeholders closely monitor developments along Afghanistan’s northern frontier.
Tajikistan shares a 1,344-kilometre border with Afghanistan, the longest among Central Asian states, making it a critical focal point for regional security planning. The CSTO has repeatedly underscored the importance of enhanced cooperation among its member states to counter transnational threats, including militancy, drug trafficking, arms smuggling, and other forms of cross-border criminal activity originating from the Afghanistan region.
The CSTO reaffirmed its commitment to supporting member states in strengthening border security and ensuring long-term stability across the region through coordinated operational and infrastructural measures.
