By Raza Syed
Kazakhstan was among the first countries to recognize the independence of Tajikistan, and over the past three decades, the two countries have consistently cooperated to ensure the security, development and prosperity of the region. London Post takes a closer look at the relations between them.
HISTORICAL COOPERATION AND PARTNERSHIP
Astana ranks second in the structure of Dushanbe’s foreign trade turnover with the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) countries. This year, Kazakh deputy prime minister iterated that it is ready to increase its exports with the country by $190 million.
In 2022, Tajikistan’s foreign trade turnover with Kazakhstan amounted to $ 1,441.2 million. The trade turnover between the two countries increased by 22.2% compared to 2021. Meanwhile, the exports from Tajikistan to Kazakhstan during this period increased by 34.3% more than the previous year.
In addition, imports from Kazakhstan to Tajikistan amounted to $957.3 million, rising 17% compared to 2021. In the near future, Astana and Dushanbe intend to increase trade turnover to $2 billion. Priority areas of economic cooperation between the countries are the mining industry, non-ferrous metallurgy, mechanical engineering, agro-industrial complex, energy, light industry, transport and communications.
In general, the indicators of the development of bilateral relations between Tajikistan and Kazakhstan show that the parties have great interest in strengthening mutually beneficial trade, economic, humanitarian ties and strengthening political relations.
MUTUAL COOPERATION DESPITE DIFFERENCES
Astana has traditionally been a guarantor for Dushanbe of maintaining a geopolitical balance in the region, including as a counterweight to Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan.
The only serious issue on which Astana and Dushanbe have traditionally differed is the problem of distributing water resources in the region. Here, Kazakhstan has largely been in solidarity with Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan, which opposed the plans of the Tajik and Kyrgyz governments to build a cascade of large hydroelectric power plants or to charge for their water resources. However, disagreements on water issues do not affect the general state of Kazakh-Tajik relations, which continue to develop.
As a rule, both countries actively cooperate with each other in the political sphere. In the international arena, Tajikistan traditionally supports Kazakhstan’s initiatives and proposals in the field of economic and political integration.
Thus, Tajikistan supported Kazakhstan’s accession to the World Trade Organisation (WTO), the nomination of Astana as a venue for EXPO 2017, and the election of Kazakhstan to the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Heritage of UNESCO. Both countries have repeatedly stated that their positions coincide on regional security issues, the situation in neighboring Afghanistan, and the development of integration in the post-Soviet space.
Such bilateral mutual support is explained by the coincidence of long-term geopolitical interests. Astana’s support acquired particular importance during the period of serious cooling of relations between Dushanbe and Tashkent, in the context of a de facto transport blockade and economic war between Uzbekistan and Tajikistan.
SOFT POWER AND CULTURAL EXCHANGE
Good relations with Tajikistan (as well as with other neighboring countries) are an effective mechanism for Kazakhstan to expand its influence in the region.
Kazakhstan is making significant efforts to promote its “soft power” in Tajikistan, presenting itself as an economically successful and dynamically developing state. Astana annually allocates a quota (100 places) for Tajik youth in its higher education institutions.
In the field of security, the main platform for cooperation between the two countries is the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO). Astana and Dushanbe coordinate their foreign policy efforts within the framework of other international organizations, such as the UN, OSCE and CICA, as well as on the platform of various regional integration models actively promoted by Moscow, such as the CIS and SCO.
In the field of military-technical cooperation, Kazakhstan is also the main partner for Tajikistan in the region today. The main areas of bilateral military cooperation are the joint training of military personnel, their education and training military institutions, joint resolution of issues of logistical support of troops and exchange of military-technical and special information.
In May 2023, both the countries signed eight new cooperation documents.
These included Memorandum of Cooperation between the Center for Strategic Studies of Tajikistan and Institute for Strategic Studies of Kazakhstan, protocol on Customs Services and exchange on goods and vehicles. Deal on sister city relations between Khujand and Turkestan, and agreement on transportation and sports were also signed. Notably, cooperation on agriculture and industry development and a memorandum on exports were also agreed on.
The heads of state also signed the Declaration on allied cooperation. During the implementation period, this declaration will raise interstate relations between Tajikistan and Kazakhstan to a high level and turn them into real strategic partners.
As part of this visit, a total of more than 60 new cooperation documents were signed at the level of ministries and departments of the two countries. More than $2.6 billion is expected to be attracted to the economy of Tajikistan for the implementation of joint projects. With these developments, Kazakhstan and Tajikistan are well-positioned to continue their path toward greater prosperity and collaboration.
