CSTO Moves to Strengthen Tajikistan’s Border With Afghanistan

The Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) has announced that its member states have agreed to provide military equipment to strengthen Tajikistan’s border with Afghanistan.

The organization’s secretary-general told the TASS news agency that the first shipments are expected to be delivered this autumn.

Taalatbek Masadykov, Secretary-General of the Collective Security Treaty Organization, said: “If something happens there, it will not only be Tajikistan’s problem, but a problem for all CSTO member states, as well as other members of the Commonwealth of Independent States.”

Aziz Maarij, a political analyst, said: “Russia itself is also interested in bringing its troops and equipment to the border under various pretexts and, like the former Soviet Union, intends to gradually make its way toward the warm waters in the direction of India.”

Masadykov, who recently visited the Afghanistan-Tajikistan border, added that the current measures along the border are insufficient and that the plan to strengthen it should be implemented more quickly.

According to him, Russia will play the main role in supplying Tajikistan with the equipment it needs.

Asadullah Nadim, a military analyst, said: “Russia has a military presence in Tajikistan. The Tajik army obtains almost all of its weapons and equipment from Russia. This is nothing new, and publicizing the issue serves Tajikistan’s interests. Russia also instills in the Tajiks the idea that they cannot survive without it.”

These remarks come following a recent border incident. Tajikistan said two Afghan citizens who had illegally entered its territory were killed in a clash.

Kabul, however, says the situation along the border is under control and that there is no serious security threat.

Zabihullah Mujahid, spokesperson for the Islamic Emirate, said: “In our view, the concerns being raised are largely unfounded. Intelligence circles from some hostile countries may be providing false information to this organization in an attempt to create tensions between Afghanistan and its neighbors, causing concern among its members.”

Afghanistan and Tajikistan share a border of more than 1,300 kilometers, which the Collective Security Treaty Organization considers part of the southern frontier of its security zone.