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ISLAMABAD: Pakistan&rsquo;s Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir has reaffirmed Pakistan&rsquo;s commitment to strengthening defense and security ties with Tajikistan. This he said in a meeting with Colonel General Sobirzoda Emomali Abdulrahim, Minister of Defense of Tajikistan, who called on him, at the General Headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi, said a press release issued by Pakistan military&rsquo;s media wing, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) on Thursday. During the meeting, matters of mutual interest, regional security, and bilateral defense cooperation were discussed. Enhancing military ties&nbsp;Both sides expressed their resolve to enhance the existing military-to-military collaboration, particularly in the areas of training, counter-terrorism, and regional security, it said. The visiting dignitary appreciated the professionalism of the Pakistan Army and acknowledged its role in promoting regional stability and peace, the statement said. The COAS, while emphasizing the importance of collective efforts for regional stability and prosperity, reaffirmed Pakistan&rsquo;s commitment to strengthening defense and security ties with Tajikistan, the ISPR&rsquo;s statement said.

Security

Pakistan Army Chief Asim Munir met Tajik Defense Minister Sobirzoda, reaffirming commitment to defense and security ties; both emphasize military collaboration, counter-terrorism, training, and regional stability promotion.

Pakistan, Tajikistan pledge stronger defense, regional security cooperation

ISLAMABAD: Tajikistan asked India to withdraw its military personnel and equipment from the Ayni airbase last year, prompting New Delhi to close its only overseas air facility in Central Asia, Indian media reported this week. According to the digital publication The Print on Tuesday, India was instructed to vacate the base in 2024, and the withdrawal process was completed earlier this year. The Gissar Military Aerodrome (GMA), commonly known as the Ayni airbase after the nearby village, is located just west of Dushanbe and had been jointly administered by India and Tajikistan for nearly two decades. India is estimated to have spent close to $100 million on its development. Despite the investment and political backing under the Vajpayee government, the airbase never became fully operational. Reports said the facility remained largely idle due to Russian opposition, with Moscow reluctant to allow any other country to operate from the base. India did not maintain permanent air assets there, aside from two to three helicopters gifted to Tajikistan but operated by Indian Air Force personnel for humanitarian and relief missions. The Print also noted that Tajikistan&rsquo;s request for withdrawal came amid apparent pressure from Russia and China over the presence of foreign military personnel in the region. The closure of the Ayni airbase reduces India&rsquo;s strategic reach in Central Asia at a time when regional influence is increasingly shaped by China&rsquo;s expanding presence and Russia&rsquo;s renewed assertiveness, according to Zee News. India had previously used the airbase during the evacuation of its citizens in 2021, after the Taliban returned to power in Afghanistan.

Central Asia

Tajikistan requested India to withdraw from the Ayni airbase near Dushanbe, leading to its closure. The move, influenced by Russian and Chinese pressure, reduces India’s strategic reach in Central Asia

India pulls out from Ayni airbase after diplomatic request by Tajikistan: reports

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Tajikistan have reaffirmed their commitment to the CASA-1000 clean energy project and pledged closer cooperation in trade, defense, and regional connectivity, following the sixth round of Bilateral Political Consultations (BPC) in Dushanbe this week, the Pakistani foreign office said.&nbsp;The consultations, held from September 29&ndash;30, were led by Pakistan&rsquo;s Additional Foreign Secretary for West Asia and Afghanistan Syed Ali Asad Gillani and Tajikistan&rsquo;s Deputy Foreign Minister, Farrukh Sharifzoda.&nbsp;&ldquo;Discussions covered a wide range of bilateral matters, including political and parliamentary ties, trade and investment, defense and security, energy, connectivity, cultural and educational exchanges, multilateral cooperation, and consular affairs,&rdquo; the foreign office said.&nbsp;Both delegations agreed that high-level visits provide &ldquo;motivation to the partnership&rdquo; and stressed the importance of continued engagement.&nbsp;Central to the talks was the $1.2 billion CASA-1000 energy project, designed to transmit 1,300 megawatts of surplus hydroelectric power from Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan to Pakistan and Afghanistan.&nbsp;The project, backed by the World Bank and other international partners, has faced delays due to instability in Afghanistan but is now resuming construction.&nbsp;&ldquo;Both sides underscored the significance of regional transport corridors and reaffirmed their commitment to the early operationalization of CASA-1000, aimed at strengthening regional integration and energy security,&rdquo; the statement said.&nbsp;Tajik officials also highlighted the project&rsquo;s long-term benefits.&nbsp;&ldquo;The transmission capacity of CASA-1000 will be an energy link between Tajikistan, Pakistan, and Afghanistan to provide clean energy not only to regional countries but also to meet Pakistan&rsquo;s industrial demand,&rdquo; Tajikistan&rsquo;s Deputy Minister for Energy Jamshed Shoimzoda said earlier this year.&nbsp;Beyond energy, Islamabad and Dushanbe explored trade opportunities in textiles, agriculture, logistics, food, and pharmaceuticals. Security cooperation, particularly in counter-terrorism and defense training, was also reviewed.&nbsp;Regional issues, including the situation in Indian-occupied Kashmir, were discussed, with both sides stressing that disputes should be resolved through &ldquo;diplomacy and adherence to the principles of the UN Charter.&rdquo;&nbsp;The meeting concluded with an agreement to hold the seventh session of BPC in Islamabad in 2026, signaling what both sides called a &ldquo;positive direction&rdquo; in their partnership.

Foreign Affairs

Islamabad and Dushanbe pledged to fast-track CASA-1000, expand trade in textiles, agriculture, and pharmaceuticals, and deepen security cooperation during their 6th Bilateral Political Consultations, reaffirming regional integration, energy security, and diplomatic engagement for 2026 talks.

Articles tagged with "Tajikistan"

Pakistan, Tajikistan pledge stronger defense, regional security cooperation

India pulls out from Ayni airbase after diplomatic request by Tajikistan: reports

Pakistan, Tajikistan reaffirm energy, trade and security cooperation