Afghanistan-Uzbekistan relations

Both countries have been willing to take some Afghan refugees in, but only temporarily. 

Focusing on trade networks, Afghanistan’s neighbors hope to forge regional stability in the wake of the U.S. withdrawal.

Central Asian countries have begun coordinating their responses to the worsening security situation in Afghanistan. 

As the Taliban capture districts in Afghanistan’s north, Uzbek and Tajik responses to fleeing Afghan forces have varied.

As the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan begins, some suspect Washington is looking for nearby basing options.

Tashkent recently reassured Iran of its interest in the Iranian route to the sea, but Uzbekistan has more actively sought a new route through Afghanistan to Pakistani ports.

In May 2020 and March 2021, the United States started up two new trilateral dialogues pairing Afghanistan with Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. 

Tashkent is organizing a high-level conference this summer aimed at bridging Central Asian countries and South Asian markets. 

The promise of peace in Afghanistan opens doors for Uzbekistan. 

Uzbekistan and the Central Asian states can offer Afghanistan a neighborly helping hand and the Taliban a clear understanding of their new responsibilities and obligations.

The new trilateral fits into existing efforts to increase regional cooperation and integrate Afghanistan’s into Central Asian thinking.