Afghanistan-Uzbekistan relations

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.

Tashkent’s aims to diversify its transportation routes, a necessity for the double-landlocked state, rest largely on Iran.

Tashkent’s intentions have swiftly moved toward actions when it comes to increasing trade cooperation with Afghanistan.

With new initiatives and new infrastructure, trade plays a dominant role in bilateral relations between Tashkent and Kabul.

The U.S.-led efforts to broker peace get top billing, but Uzbek efforts are worth watching closely.

As Tashkent’s officials move between Doha and Kabul, Uzbekistan is carving a quiet role for itself in the peace process.

U.S. coercive pressure on Iran works against Uzbekistan’s regional interests and the stability of Afghanistan.