Tajikistan engages in high-level diplomatic meetings with China and Iran

Tajikistan's leadership held significant diplomatic meetings this week with representatives from China and Iran to discuss regional security and bilateral cooperation.

Chinese Premier Li Qiang met with Tajik President Emomali Rahmon to call for deepened security and intelligence cooperation. Li emphasized the need to combat what Beijing describes as the “three evil forces”—terrorism, separatism, and extremism—to protect Chinese citizens and maintain regional stability. This request follows long-standing Chinese concerns regarding security in the Xinjiang region.

Separately, Iran's First Vice President Mohammad Reza Aref met with Tajik Prime Minister Qahhor Rasulzoda in Dushanbe. Aref expressed a desire to expand relations beyond standard diplomatic protocols, focusing on increased cooperation in trade, energy, economy, and transportation infrastructure. He also acknowledged Tajikistan's support regarding regional tensions involving Israel and the United States. Both officials highlighted the importance of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) as a platform for enhancing regional security and economic development.