Bishkek: Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday affirmed that Moscow is maintaining 'close contact' with Tajikistan to address security concerns linked to neighboring Afghanistan. During a meeting with Tajik President Emomali Rahmon at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit, Putin acknowledged the regional apprehensions and emphasized the collaborative efforts in security-related issues.
According to Anadolu Agency, Putin characterized the relationship between Russia and Tajikistan as a 'truly strategic partnership.' He highlighted the growth in trade, noting a 25.1% increase in turnover last year, with an additional 25% rise in the first half of this year. This economic collaboration is supported by approximately 320 Russian-participated enterprises operating within Tajikistan, where over 96% of transactions are executed in national currencies.
Further, Putin underscored the cooperation in education and culture, mentioning that 6,000 children attend Russian-language schools in Tajikistan and more than 35,000 Tajik students are enrolled in Russian universities. Rahmon reciprocated by expressing satisfaction with the ongoing development in trade, security, and humanitarian cooperation, and expressed his desire to explore bilateral and international issues further.
In a separate interaction, Putin met with Mongolian President Ukhnaa Khurelsukh, also on the sidelines of the SCO summit, to discuss the strengthening of bilateral ties. The dialogue with Mongolia focused on trade developments, with a 4.5% trade turnover increase last year and an 18% boost in the first half of 2026. An interim trade agreement between the Eurasian Economic Union and Mongolia, effective since July, was highlighted as a facilitator for the traditional Mongolian exports.
Furthermore, Putin noted the effective cooperation between Russia and Mongolia in multilateral organizations, where their stances on numerous international issues are aligned. Khurelsukh emphasized the increased frequency of bilateral visits and reiterated Mongolia's commitment to prioritizing relations with Russia.