Khadeja M. Khan
The Republic of Tajikistan and The Republic of Uzbekistan among all Central Asian Republics unarguably are the most entwined with one another, culturally and economically. Since their independence, the two countries have worked to develop inter-regional connectivity for not just periphery countries but also landlocked neighbors. The two countries are like two branches of the same tree, which shall mutually progress with shared interests in this new millennium of economic prosperity for the region.The ways in which Tajikistan and Uzbekistan pursue stability and cooperation in the coming years will have important implications for major powers in the region.
Tajikistan and Uzbekistan have a widely inter-thread history. The greatest of thinkers of all times such as Jalal ad-Din Muhammad Rumi incorporated the essence of Sufism in not just the Central Asian region, but the whole of Asia and beyond. Poets such as Abu ?l-QasimFirdowsiTusi spoke volumes to the people through the art of poetic reflection. Nasir al-Din Tusi is still recognized as one of the greatest philosophers of all times. The list of contributions of brilliant individuals of the lands of Tajikistan and Uzbekistan are unending till date, and the interdependent histories contribute many folds to the likeness of the two countries even in present day.
Due to the region’s economic development, geographical and geopolitical location, as well as community roots and historical ties between the two neighboring countries, both need to constantly pay attention to the further development and deepening of a wide range of mutually beneficial cooperation.One Hundred and Elevencontracts and agreements signed at the interstate, intergovernmental as well as interdepartmental levels sinceyear 1992 till date set the legitimate foundations of the bilateral Tajik-Uzbek relations.These bilateral agreementscover fundamental areas of cooperation between two countries and set a solid legal base for further strengthening of the bilateral cooperation between Tajikistan and Uzbekistan in the political, economic, trade and other areas.
The regulating key directions of the relations between the two countries are The Treaty of Friendship, Good-neighborliness, and Cooperation between Tajikistan and Uzbekistan which was signed on January 4, 1993 in Tashkent and the Treaty of Eternal Friendship between Tajikistan and Uzbekistan signed on June 15, 2000.The main principles of bilateral relations in these documents clear cut by the two countries include: equality, mutual respect for independence and sovereignty, non-interference into the internal affairs of each other, their mutual desire to establish mutually beneficial economic partnerships at both the state level and at the level of economic entities.The prominent interactions between the national security ministries of both countries are a good sign, which included their first ever joint military exercise. This gives hope of a strategic partnership between Tajikistan and Uzbekistan which will open doors to provide regional peace solutions. In reference to Afghanistan, both countries should look forward to a stabilized Afghanistan, prospering on the basis of economic opportunities and free from all forms of international presence.
There have been enormous changes in bilateral relations between Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. The political will of the two leadersdemonstrates their readiness to work jointly to raise the level of bilateral ties for the best interests of their people. In year 2017, air and railway communication between the two countries resumed, the international road was opened on the Samarkand-Penjikent section. The checkpoints on the Uzbek-Tajik State border have also resumed their work.As a result of 2017, the trade turnover amounted to 240 million US dollars. This is the highest rate for the last 20 years. Cooperation in energy sector has been established between Tajikistanand Uzbekistan.
Earlier this year,the meetings between the two heads of states became truly historical. Within the framework were signed 27 agreements andexchanged views on topical issues of the international and regional agenda. The negotiations gave a powerful impetus to the creative process of the dynamic developments of the entire range of good-neighborly relations between countries of the region. The Heads of States stressed the fundamental importance of trade and economic cooperation between the two countries and agreed that the positive dynamics of trade and economic cooperation between the two countries has been established. Both sides should continue to work onthe actual aspects of bilateral cooperation in the areas of transport – communication, regional integration, water and energy resources, security and defense, as well as cultural and humanitarian ties.
It is pertinent, the necessity to improve the legal mechanisms for the integrated and effective use of transboundary water resources of the Central Asia that facilitate a constructive dialogue, taking into account the interests of all states of the region. As strategic partners both countries should be in closer coordination and cooperation in the spheres of security and defense; and pay special attention to the joint counteraction to terrorism, extremism, manifestations of radical religious ideology, illicit drug trafficking and transnational organized crime, and strengthening military as well as military and technical cooperation.In this context, focus is necessary on practical implementation of the signed agreements on cooperation between law enforcement, security and defense agencies.
Tajikistan and Uzbekistan have enjoyed cordial bilateral relations with Pakistan, which can hopefully help move towards enhanced tri-lateral relations between the three countries. Pakistan has been a strong advocate of the geo-strategic relevance of Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. For the economic sustenance of the region, the opportunities and resources the two countries have to offer should not be overlooked. In the changing geo-strategic environment, the countries should be willing to mutually work towards a simultaneous progression in terms of trade, security, development and peace for the region. Pakistan was one of the first 3 countries to open its embassy in Uzbekistan,continues to share views on regional and international issues provides opportunities for development prospects. Trade volume between Uzbekistan and Pakistan has increased from 35 million per year to 85 million USD.Uzbekistan has expertise in cotton production and can help Pakistan a lot in increasing its cotton production.Uzbekistan has proposed Trilateral Trade Agreement between Pakistan Afghanistan and Uzbekistan, once this idea is materialized this will provide Pakistan direct access to Uzbek market and vice versa.
Both Tajikistan and Uzbekistan are the nearest neighbors and is a gateway for Pakistan to the Central Asian region. There are multiple agreements of co-operation in the fields of energy, security, trade, defense, culture, infrastructure development and communication. Former Prime Minister of Pakistan in his last visit to Dushanbe also signed a joint declaration titled ‘Road towards strategic partnership for regional solidarity’. There is also a Trilateral Trade agreement with Afghanistan,Pakistan and Tajikistan.Stable Afghanistan is prerequisite for peace and stability in the region; CPEC will provide new hopes of connectivity by providing alternate connecting routes.CASA 1000 is also a very important project, in the final stages of completion.Further, Pakistan has supported inclusion of Tajikistan in Quadrilateral Trade Agreement between Pakistan-China-Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan.
The Following are some of the areas for better state to state relations:
People to people connectivity
Media connectivity
Promote tourism and enhance trade
Better transportation and identify areas of mutual interest, start of direct flights from Islamabad to Tajikistan, which was discontinued
Education and cultural cooperation
Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, and example for the region; have created favorable environments for their people for free movement and comfortable communication of their citizens, their relatives and friends and tourists. The joint initiatives and efforts of the heads of Tajikistan and Uzbekistan with the aim of enhancing interstate relations and to raise bilateral relations to a qualitatively new level at its present stage, no doubt originates from the meetings and goodwillof the two leaders. Moreover, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan cannot rely only on strong friendships between their rulers, but must construct on the fundamentals of having stronger institutions and more people to people contact. For the relations with Pakistan, with the continued diplomatic efforts of the two countries in Islamabadin developing and encouragingrelationshas high prospects development in the region and willpave the way for Pakistan and Central Asians Republics (CARs) for collaboration in diverse fields of mutual interest which will contribute in conveying to the world that these 3 countries are open to economic engagements and regional integration. Think Tanks in Pakistan meanwhile continue to monitor the pace of progress on areas of cooperation in the region. Furthermore, the possible geostrategic cooperation between the countries may also contribute to peace and stability in neighboring Afghanistan which may increase the prospects of connectivity for the region.
