“Independence Is the Greatest Blessing of the Tajik Nation.” Underlines Tajikistan’s Ambassador to Iran

In an exclusive interview with AVA Diplomatic, the Ambassador of Tajikistan to Iran outlined the trajectory of his country over the past thirty-five years—from civil war to the consolidation of national governance and economic development—and spoke of the evolution of Tehran–Dushanbe relations toward a “strategic partnership.” According to the Ambassador, these relations are rooted in shared linguistic and civilizational ties, sustained political dialogue, and the expansion of economic cooperation. He cited the nearly nine times increase in bilateral trade over the past five years, as well as the two countries’ goal of raising bilateral trade to $1 billion, as key indicators of this transformation. The Ambassador also elaborated on Tajikistan’s plans for energy independence, industrialization, the development of the digital economy, and Dushanbe’s global initiatives concerning water and the fight against terrorism. A significant part of the interview focused on future cooperation with Iran in the fields of energy, mining, petrochemicals, textiles, pharmaceuticals, artificial intelligence, transportation, and tourism. In his view, such cooperation, drawing on the shared heritage of Persian-speaking peoples, the visa-waiver regime, investment, and the interconnection of transportation networks, could elevate relations between the two countries to an unprecedented level.

AVA Diplomatic’s Exclusive Interview with H.E. Nizomiddin Zohidi,

Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Tajikistan to Tehran

Mr. Ambassador, on the threshold of the 35th anniversary of independence of Tajikistan, how do you assess the post-independence era of your country? What path have Tajikistan taken in these years and what achievements have it achieved?

Independence is the greatest blessing bestowed upon the people of Tajikistan on September 9, 1991, after the collapse of the Soviet Union. This date is written in gold letters in the history of Tajik nation; because after a thousand years of the Samanid era – which is considered as the first national statehood of the Tajiks in history – the Tajik people gained the opportunity to establish a national state and determine their own destiny. During the 35 years of independence, the Tajik nation has traveled a path whose historical value is perhaps equal to centuries.

After gaining independence, Tajikistan was caught up in an imposed civil war due to the intrigues and sedition of groups that preferred their sectarian and local interests over national interests; a battle that lasted more than five years and resulted in heavy casualties (around 150,000 people) and huge financial losses.

At that period of time, the newly independent Tajikistan was on the brink of demolition and being erased from the political map of the world. Right at those difficult moments in the history of Tajik nation, Emomali Rahmon, a patriotic and selfless figure with both the courage of words and deeds, stepped onto the political scene of Tajikistan and took on the historic responsibility of ensuring peace, stability, and national unity.

It was Emomali Rahmon’s selflessness and sacrifices that made people trust him, and countries of the region, alongside with international organizations, supported his efforts to secure peace.

As a result, opposition groups laid down their weapons, the flames of fratricidal war subsided, and with the signing of the “General Agreement on the Establishment of Peace and National Accord” between the government and the opposition on June 27, 1997, the Tajik nation achieved complete peace and unity.

From that date, the stage of nation-building began in Tajikistan. The government, under the leadership of the President of Tajikistan, Emomali Rahmon, planned and implemented major national programs in the fields of politics, economy, industry, energy, security, culture, education, health, etc.

Could you specifically mention some of these programs?

Mentioning all these programs would take too long. So, I would like to refer to only four major programs that are recognized as strategic goals of the Tajik government.

One of these programs is about the country’s energy independence. Tajikistan, which has large water reserves, during the Soviet era supplied its abundant water to the downstream Soviet republics and in return received the electricity it needed from them. After the independence of Tajikistan and other Soviet republics, this water-energy exchange equation changed: Tajikistan’s water continued to flow to the downstream republics for free, as before, but the electricity that Tajikistan needed had to be purchased. As a result, our country faced a severe electricity shortage, especially in winter.

This made the government build new hydroelectric power plants such as Sangtuda 1 (with a capacity of 720 MW), Sangtuda 2 (with a capacity of 220 MW), and dozens of small power plants on the country’s mountain rivers.

Concurrently, the construction of the largest hydropower plant in the region, called “Rogun”, with a capacity of 3,800 MW, is ongoing. Tajikistan is expected to achieve complete energy independence next year and, in addition to supplying its own electricity, become an exporter of renewable energy to the countries of the region.

Another national program was to break the communication deadlock. Tajikistan is a mountainous country with mountain routes connecting its northern parts to the south and its western parts to the east.

In winter, when the roads were covered in snow and ice, travel from one part of Tajikistan to another was only possible through neighboring republics. This was not a problem during the Soviet era, when all republics were governed as a single country; but with the independence of these republics, the strengthening of state borders, and the imposition of restrictions on travel between countries, different parts of Tajikistan were practically isolated from each other in winter.

Therefore, the Tajik government, through a national program, has ensured the connectivity of various parts of the country in all seasons by constructing numerous roads, bridges, and tunnels. As a result, Tajikistan has transformed from a country that was once at a communications deadlock into a transit crossroads and a connecting point for countries in the region.

Tajikistan’s third strategic goal was “ensuring the country’s food security,” which was fulfilled by adopting effective measures in the agricultural sector, reforming the pattern of water and land consumption, and developing the necessary infrastructure in this area.

The fourth program of the Tajik government is the “rapid industrialization of the country”, the implementation of which is currently in progress. The existence of large capacities in the mining sector, gold and silver reserves, renewable energy production, and the presence of appropriate infrastructure have provided a favorable environment for achieving this strategic and national goal.

You have considered independence as a precious blessing for Tajikistan. Now, after 35 years since that historical event, please explain the most important achievements of your country in both domestic and foreign policy.

The most significant achievement of Tajikistan’s 35 years of independence is the establishment and strengthening of a national governance system based on the unity and solidarity of the Tajik nation. Today, Tajikistan is recognized by the international community as a safe, stable, and developing country.

Tajikistan pursues an “open door” policy in its foreign and international interactions, meaning that Tajikistan’s doors are open to all countries that wish for cooperation on the basis of equality and mutual respect. This policy has enabled Tajikistan to find reliable partners in different regions of the world and play an active role in international and regional organizations and institutions.

Thus, over the 35 years of its independence, Tajikistan has transformed from a country that was severely damaged in the civil war and was on the brink of demolition, into a strong, stable, and developing country that is active in resolving important issues in today’s world and has a position and prestige in the international arena.

In describing Tajikistan, Your Excellency called it a country active in resolving important issues in today’s world. Would you elaborate on this?

After achieving independence, ending the imposed civil war, and ensuring peace and stability in the country, Tajikistan tried to play its role in addressing the global issues of the contemporary world. One of these issues is the issue of water in today’s world and the role of water in the sustainable development of society.

Tajikistan has abundant water resources; 60% of the water in Central Asia rises from Tajikistan. Most of our country’s water flows to downstream countries, however, water shortages are increasingly felt in the Central Asian region. In addition, climate change is reducing water resources. There were 14,000 glaciers on the territory of Tajikistan, but due to increased warming over the past 30 years, a thousand glaciers have melted and disappeared. The gradual reduction of water resources is of particular significance not only for Central Asia, but also for the entire world. If timely and comprehensive measures are not taken at the national, regional and global levels, water shortages can lead to social, economic, health, environmental and other crises in the upcoming decades.

Realizing the importance of the water issue for humanity, His Excellency Emomali Rahmon, President of Tajikistan, has put forward five important initiatives to the international community to solve global water issues since 1999. All of these proposals have been supported by the vast majority of governments around the world and have been approved by resolutions of the United Nations General Assembly. I will list these initiatives:

One, the initiative to declare 2003 as the “International Year of Freshwater”;

Two, the initiative to declare the years 2005-2015 globally as the International Decade for Action “Water for Life”;

Three, the initiative to declare 2013 as the “International Year of Water Cooperation”;

Four, the initiative to declare the years 2018-2028 as the International Decade for Action “Water for Sustainable Development”;

Five, the initiative to declare 2025 as the “International Year of Glacier Preservation” and designate March 21 as “World Glacier Day”;

The United Nations has developed detailed programs for each of Tajikistan’s initiatives and is guiding the international community in implementing these programs. Tajikistan itself holds major international forums and conferences biennially on each of the adopted UN resolutions with the participation of representatives of countries and international and regional organizations, and the final documents of these forums and conferences accentuate the need for prudent use of water and the protection of the planet’s water resources.

Tajikistan’s global initiatives on water have always been supported by the international community, as they aim to help solve the problems of water as a source of life and a factor in the sustainable development of the global community. Tajikistan’s water initiatives and international conferences and forums, which are held in the capital of the country, Dushanbe, every two years, have led to the formation of a new global trend called the “Dushanbe Water Process”.

This process, on one hand, showcases Tajikistan as an innovative country in the field of water on a global scale. On the other hand, it increases human attention to the most important source of our existence and life, and highlights the importance of water and the need to solve its problems on the global agenda.

Besides the issue of water, what other proposals have Tajikistan made to the international community in the field of international cooperation? Please explain their main details.

Tajikistan actively cooperates with the United Nations in the fight against terrorism, which is considered the adversity of our time.

Within the framework of this cooperation and by the initiative of Tajikistan, high-level international conferences were held in Dushanbe in 2018, 2020, 2022, and 2024, at which representatives of dozens of governments, international, and regional organizations discussed ways to implement the United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy.

Holding of these international conferences, as well as Tajikistan’s active cooperation with the United Nations and countries of the world in this field, led to the formation of the “Dushanbe Process on Combating Terrorism and Its Financing.”

This process has today become a permanent international forum for discussing issues of combating terrorism, extremism, illegal drug trafficking, and transnational organized crime; and strengthens cooperation between states. Tajikistan consistently emphasizes that the fight against terrorism should be carried out on the basis of international cooperation, respect for human rights, and the elimination of social and economic factors that generate extremism.

On the initiative and proposal of the President of the Republic of Tajikistan, on June 25, 2026, the United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution entitled “The International Decade of Strengthening of Peace for Future Generations (2027–2036)”.

The main objective of this initiative is to promote a culture of peace, develop dialogue and reconciliation, strengthen solidarity between generations, and attract young people to reinforce global peace and security.

This initiative is a rational continuation of Tajikistan’s foreign policy in promoting a culture of peace, strengthening international trust, and expanding constructive cooperation between states.

The news of the President of Tajikistan gifting a volume of Shahnameh to every Tajik family and his recent order to energize the teaching of the “ancestral alphabet” (Persian alphabet) in the schools of the country has been widely welcomed in Iran. What is the main goal of the President of Tajikistan with these measures?

These two measures, the gift of a copy of “Shahnameh” to each Tajik family and the order of the President of the Republic of Tajikistan on energizing the teaching of Persian alphabet in educational institutions, are part of the process of restoring and consolidating the national and cultural identity of the Tajik nation, a process that began with the favorable initiative of His Excellency Emomali Rahmon in the early years of Tajikistan’s independence and pursues the goal of strengthening the spiritual foundations of contemporary Tajik statehood and preserving its national heritage.

“Shahnameh” by Abul-Qâsem Ferdowsi is known as a great document of national self-knowledge, a dictionary of language, culture, history, worldview, traditions of governance, and one of the literary masterpieces of Persian-speaking civilization. Making this work available to every family proves that the government is trying to make national values ​​and the culture of reading as an inseparable part of society’s life. This act at the same time plays an important role in cultivating a sense of patriotism, respect for history, and raising the level of knowledge of citizens, especially young people.

In this respect, the order to energize the teaching of Persian script also has a strategic cultural importance. Its goal is to provide the possibility of direct education of the written heritage of the Tajik nation. Precious literary, historical, philosophical and scientific works of the Tajiks have been written in Persian script for centuries. Therefore, teaching this script allows juveniles to refer directly to the original sources, to get to know their cultural heritage more deeply, and to expand their scientific understanding of national history and civilization.

It is natural for the media and cultural environment of Iran to pay attention to these measures, as “Shahnameh” and Persian script are considered common values ​​of Persian-speaking civilization.

In general, these two measures convey a prime message: Tajikistan, in the context of globalization, by relying on its rich historical and cultural heritage, is striving to fortify national identity, the connection of generations to the civilization of their ancestors, and the citizens’ sense of responsibility towards national values.

At the same time, this cultural policy provides new opportunities for scientific and cultural cooperation with Iran, a country with shared language and civilization, and further strengthens Tajikistan’s position as one of the important centers of Persian-speaking civilization in the international arena.

Relations between the Republic of Tajikistan and the Islamic Republic of Iran have entered a new stage of political and economic cooperation in recent years. From your perspective, what are the most important factors in this matter and what components have caused the relations between the two countries to move from the stage of reviving relations to the formation of a strategic partnership?

Reviewing 35 years of bilateral relations is proof that Tajikistan and Iran have tried to endlessly develop their relations of friendship, brotherhood, cooperation, and assistance throughout these years, despite the ups and downs in the course of relations.

The positive developments in Tajikistan-Iran relations at the current stage, which you assessed as a sign of the formation of a strategic partnership between these two countries, of course, have their own factors and components. One of the most important factors is the common linguistic, historical and cultural values ​​that have united our nations since ancient times and today have placed our countries in a single civilizational sphere. This single civilizational sphere is a suitable platform for the development of mutually beneficial cooperation between the two countries and the two peoples of Tajikistan and Iran.

The second factor in the development of our cooperation is the unbroken process of high-level constructive political dialogue between the two sides, which has given advantages to Tajik-Iranian relations over the past 35 years. In connection with this factor, it should be reiterated that the President of the Republic of Tajikistan, His Excellency Emomali Rahmon, has paid 22 official and working visits to the Islamic Republic of Iran over the three decades of relations, and the Presidents of the Islamic Republic of Iran have paid 14 official and working visits to Tajikistan over these years. The frequency of bilateral high-level meetings between Tajikistan and Iran over the past 35 years of relations not only testifies to the unbroken process of high-level political dialogue between Tajikistan and Iran, but also reflects the natural state of relations between the two countries, which share common interests.

Among the factors creating the basis for the development of relations, it is worth mentioning the interest of the two countries in boosting economic and trade cooperation. This interest has led to a continuous increase in the volume of bilateral trade between Tajikistan and Iran in recent years. In 2020, the volume of bilateral trade was equal to $57 million, but in 2025, this volume reached $485 million, meaning that over the past 5 years, trade between the two countries has increased around 9 times.

Both countries have decided to increase bilateral trade volume to $1 billion in the coming years, and the required capacities exist on both sides to reach this goal.

The fourth factor that plays an effective role in strengthening bilateral cooperation, especially cultural cooperation, is the acceptance of cooperation and coexistence between co-cultural countries such as Tajikistan and Iran. The role of this factor is very influential, especially at a time when the rapid spread of globalization imposes great pressures on national cultures. Therefore, joint efforts to relieve the pressure of globalization on national cultures are considered a historical necessity for co-cultural countries.

Among the factors that have contributed to the expansion of cooperation between Tajikistan and Iran in the regional and international arenas over the past 35 years and that call for continued cooperation in this area in the future is the existence of common and similar risks and challenges in the security, stability, and sustainable development of our countries.

At the forefront of these threats are the fight against terrorism, extremism, organized crime, drug trafficking, etc., which require cooperation between our countries both bilaterally and within the framework of multilateral relations.

The aforementioned factors have caused relations between the Republic of Tajikistan and the Islamic Republic of Iran to enter a new stage in recent years and move towards the formation of a strategic partnership.

In 2025-2026, we witnessed numerous joint commission meetings, ministerial visits, and bilateral consultations between officials from the two countries. What impact will these diplomatic exchanges have on the quality of relations between Tehran and Dushanbe, and what are the top priorities for both sides in the coming years?

By the efforts of both sides, various instruments have been established to develop bilateral cooperation. One of the most important one is the Joint Commission for Economic, Trade, Scientific, Technical and Cultural Cooperation between the Republic of Tajikistan and the Islamic Republic of Iran, which is chaired by the Minister of Energy and Water Resources of the Republic of Tajikistan and the Minister of Energy of the Islamic Republic of Iran.

The 17th meeting of this commission was held in early May 2025 in Shiraz, Iran, and the 18th meeting was held in late May 2026 in Dushanbe, Tajikistan. The meetings of this commission usually discuss all aspects of bilateral cooperation and make decisions that play an effective role in the development of bilateral cooperation. By the agreement of the parties, a follow-up committee affiliated with the joint commission has been formed, which holds its meetings every six months and reviews the implementation process of the decisions taken in the joint commission.

Political consultations between the Ministries of Foreign Affairs, as well as consular consultations between the two countries, are important tools of bilateral cooperation. These meetings, which are held annually, play an important part in reviewing the current situation and determining the prospects for bilateral relations.

Moreover, specific mechanisms for developing sector-based cooperation are active at the level of key ministries of the two countries. In recent years, new instruments have been devised, such as the “Iran-Tajikistan Joint Chamber of Commerce”, the “Council of Entrepreneurs”, and the “Joint Investment Committee”, which pursue the goal of strengthening cooperation in specific areas.

Also, in recent years, we have witnessed an increase in the exchange of ministerial delegations between the two countries. For example, in 2025, over 40 delegations at various levels traveled from Tajikistan to Iran, and almost the same number of delegations from Iran to Tajikistan.

Overall, the liveliness of various mechanisms of bilateral cooperation, consultations, and ministerial meetings, on one hand, indicates the development of relations and the enhancement of trust between the two countries, and on the other hand, it helps to timely remove obstacles to cooperation and improve the quality of relations between Tehran and Dushanbe.

We are confident that the perpetuation of this positive trend in bilateral relations will lead to the implementation of new joint projects and the activation of new areas of cooperation between Iran and Tajikistan.

Many believe that the linguistic and civilizational commonalities between Iran and Tajikistan could provide a different model for relations between countries in the region. How do you think this historical asset can be transformed into sustainable political, economic, and cultural cooperation?

Indeed, the linguistic and cultural commonalities between Tajikistan and Iran are a historical asset that we have inherited from our ancestors, and today it is our duty to preserve it and, by enriching this common asset, pass it on to future generations.

Linguistic and civilizational commonalities facilitate relations between Tajikistan and Iran in all areas of bilateral cooperation. As a matter of fact, politicians, economic and business activists, and cultural figures of the two countries do not need translators in their interactions. The unique civilizational sphere in which Tajiks and Iranians are located is a God-given basis for creating understanding and strengthening trust between the two states and two nations. In this respect, relations between Tajikistan and Iran enjoy a special privilege compared to other countries in the region. In order for this privilege to become a foundation for sustainable cooperation between the two countries in all fields, efforts must be made to transform common language into more than ever empathy and cooperation between the two nations and two states.

It is gratifying that Tajikistan and Iran are taking solid steps towards empathy and cooperation. One of these steps is the one-month visa waiver between the two countries, which has led to increased travel between the people of the two countries and their better understanding of each other. Linguistic and civilizational commonalities should be an incentive for holding more joint political, economic and cultural programs at the national and international levels to advance the common goals and interests of the two countries.

The central pillar of our unique civilizational sphere is the common science, literature, and culture. Today, in the conditions of globalization and mounting pressures on national cultures, preserving and introducing the achievements of this spiritual capital in the regional and international arena (such as UNESCO, ISESCO, and other organizations) requires more joint efforts from Tajikistan and Iran. Fortunately, joint actions have begun on the path of cooperation, and we are certain that their continuation will benefit the culture and civilization of Persian-speaking people, the region, and the world.

The fight against terrorism, extremism, drug trafficking, and transnational organized crime has been among the issues emphasized by the authorities of the two countries. In your opinion, what joint mechanisms can make security cooperation between Iran and Tajikistan effective?

The fight against terrorism, extremism, and illegal drug trafficking is one of the main axes of the domestic and foreign policy of the Republic of Tajikistan. To combat these contemporary adversities, the Republic of Tajikistan has initiated extensive cooperation with most countries of the world and international organizations.

Previously, I mentioned the “Dushanbe Process on Combating Terrorism and Its Financing”; a process that is considered an element in strengthening Tajikistan’s multilateral cooperation with relevant regional and international countries and organizations in the fight against terrorism, extremism, drug trafficking, and transnational organized crime.

This issue is also considered a priority area of ​​bilateral cooperation in Tajikistan-Iran relations. The relevant authorities of the two countries have built extensive cooperation and hold regular meetings in order to consult, exchange experience and timely review solutions to counter terrorism, extremism, drug trafficking and transnational organized crime. Additionally, a joint mechanism called the “Joint Security Task Force” has been established between the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Tajikistan and the Ministry of Interior of Iran, which plays an effective role in strengthening interactions in this sector.

The Republic of Tajikistan condemned the military attacks in the two recent imposed wars against the Islamic Republic of Iran, and in your recent speeches, while expressing sympathy with the families of the students and teachers of the Shajareh Tayyebeh School in Minab, you emphasized the need to protect civilians, especially in armed conflicts. In your opinion, to what extent has the international community been successful in fulfilling its obligations under international humanitarian law?

For sure, in any war and conflict, the most vulnerable segment of society is children. Children are not the ones who decide to start wars, are not the ones who destroy settlements, or are not the ones who kill people; but they are defenseless and unprotected against all this violence. This is despite the fact that according to international documents, children must be protected even in war situations.

Unfortunately, in the early days of the war against Iran, about 170 students from the Shajareh Tayyebeh School in Minab were martyred. This tragedy and other tragedies like it are, in fact, a festering wound on the conscience of the international community, a wound whose healing requires us to become more humane and our world to become more just.

If you were to envision the outlook for relations between Iran and Tajikistan over the next five to ten years, what are the most important areas that can elevate relations between the two countries to the level of a sustainable strategic partnership, and what actions should be prioritized?

I believe that in the next five to ten years, the most important areas of relations between the two countries will include industry, oil and petrochemicals, energy, new technologies, healthcare, and culture. If security and stability are ensured in the region, cooperation in these areas can elevate Tajikistan-Iran relations, especially economic and trade ties between the two countries, to an unprecedented level.

To reach a sustainable level of cooperation, we need a strategy in which effective measures are devised by both sides to implement previous agreements and documents in the economic and trade fields. In this respect, the long-term plan for economic and trade cooperation between Iran and Tajikistan for the years 2022 to 2030 and the roadmap for its implementation are of particular importance.

Tajik authorities have repeatedly invited Iranian investors to participate in the country’s free economic zones. What are the most important competitive advantages of Tajik free economic zones for Iranian investors, and what guarantees has the Tajik government provided to support foreign investors?

Now, five free economic zones are operating in Tajikistan: Sughd, Dangara, Kulob, Panj, and Ishkoshim. The aforementioned free economic zones were created with the aim of providing favorable conditions for attracting investment in the economic sectors, activating foreign economic relations, and ensuring the efficient supply of products.

According to the current legislation of Tajikistan, the government guarantees full and unconditional protection of the rights and legitimate interests of investors and operators (enterprises) of the free economic zone.

For economic activists based in free zones, the import of domestic and foreign goods and products, including production and construction equipment, is carried out without paying customs duties and taxes. When exporting goods and products from the free economic zone outside Tajikistan, no customs duties are charged, except for the costs of customs formalities, and no economic prohibitions or restrictions are applied.

In general, legal protection of investors, non-interference of the government in business affairs, the right to transfer income abroad, free and unbounded circulation of property, protection of intellectual property and the right to use natural resources are guaranteed. In this regard, the free economic zones of the Republic of Tajikistan are stable environments for investment.

It is worth noting that right now, 18 economic enterprises with the participation of Iranian entrepreneurs and investors have been registered in Tajikistan’s free economic zones.

Tajikistan has significant hydropower potential, and Iran has valuable experience in building power plants and energy infrastructure. Is there scope for defining new joint projects in the fields of electricity, energy transmission, network management, and energy infrastructure development?

That is right. The Republic of Tajikistan has significant potential in the field of Hydroelectricity. 60% of the water resources of the Central Asian region originate from the territory of our country. Also, Tajikistan, with the potential to produce 527 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity per year, possesses one of the first places in the world in terms of hydroelectric power reserves.

Currently, water resources of the country are the main source of energy production, and 90 percent of electricity in the Republic of Tajikistan is generated by hydroelectric power plants.

It is worth mentioning here that the construction of the Sangtuda-2 hydroelectric power plant was implemented with joint investment by Tajikistan and Iran. We are proud to announce that the construction of the Sangtuda-2 hydroelectric power plant is a symbol of investment and energy cooperation between Tajikistan and Iran. Currently, the Sangtuda-2 hydroelectric power plant is operating with a capacity of 220 MW and plays a valuable role in the country’s electricity supply.

At the same time, it is worth noting that the construction of Rogun Hydropower Plant with a capacity of 3,800 MW is underway in Tajikistan, and domestic and foreign companies are participating in its engineering and construction operations. It is worth appreciating that a number of Iranian companies are also playing a role in the construction of this vital project for Tajikistan. We express our satisfaction and happiness with the performance of Iranian companies, especially the “Tunnel Sadd Ariana” company, headed by its CEO, Mr. Ali Mousavi Rahimi, in the construction of the Rogun Hydropower Plant. We hope that the presence of Iranian companies and engineers in this large and important project in Tajikistan will increase more than before, because greater participation of the Iranian side in this project will benefit both countries.

The cooperation between the two sides in the field of energy has provided a good basis for defining and implementing new joint projects. These projects may include the construction of solar power plants in Tajikistan, connecting the electricity networks of the two countries, holding training courses for Tajik specialists on reducing electricity losses and managing electricity networks, etc.

Negotiations on the establishment of a joint industrial park between Iran and Tajikistan have attracted the attention of many economic activists. What goals does this industrial park pursue and what industries and technologies will be prioritized to be located there?

In fact, creating a Tajik-Iranian industrial park in Tajikistan was a proposal from our side that was raised during the visit of the Iranian Minister of Industry, Mines and Trade, Mr. Mohammad Atabak, to Dushanbe (February 16-18, 2026) and was welcomed by the Iranian side. The aim of this proposal is to enhance the level of bilateral cooperation in the fields of new industries and technologies.

The matter of creating an industrial park is under consideration by specialized institutions of Tajikistan and Iran, and the procedure of its establishment and operation will be regulated in the form of a memorandum of understanding. Its details will be communicated to economic activists after the finalization of this bilateral document.

The cooperation programs for 2025-2027 focus on topics such as textile, mechanical engineering, metallurgy, pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, chemical industries, and mineral processing. As you see it, which of these areas can be transformed into successful joint projects the fastest?

During the official visit of the President of Tajikistan, Leader of the Nation, His Excellency Emomali Rahmon to Iran on May 30, 2022, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan and the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran on cooperation in the field of industry and new technologies, and then on January 25, 2025, within the official visit of the President of the Islamic Republic of Iran, His Excellency Masoud Pezeshkian to Tajikistan, the implementation plan of this MoU for the period 2025-2027 was signed.

I hope that this document will provide appropriate legal conditions for launching cooperation in various sectors of industry and new technologies and will lead to the development of direct relations between the industrial actors of the two countries. Putting the current capacities, facilities and needs of the two countries into consideration, I think the fields of mining, petrochemicals, textiles and pharmaceuticals can be transformed into successful joint projects more quickly.

In recent talks, the topic of utilizing digital technologies and artificial intelligence in bilateral cooperation has also been raised. What is your assessment of the capacity for cooperation between Iran and Tajikistan in the fields of digital economy, industrial transformation, and applications of artificial intelligence?

There is no doubt that today the world has entered a new stage of growth, the era of digital economy and AI technologies.

In such conditions, only those states that effectively and fruitfully take advantage of the potential of contemporary technologies can remain competitive. Tajikistan is also taking firm steps towards digitalizing the economy and forming an information society.

In recent years, with the support of the Government of Tajikistan, a number of important measures have been implemented in my country on the path of the digital economy. Among them, the adoption of the Concept of the Digital Economy of the Republic of Tajikistan, the Medium-Term Program for the Development of the Digital Economy in the Republic of Tajikistan for 2026-2030, the establishment of the Agency for Innovation and Digital Technologies under the President of Tajikistan, the Council for the Development of the Digital Economy under the President of Tajikistan, and the declaration of 2026-2030 as the “Years of the Development of the Digital Economy and Innovation” are the important government measures that contribute to the development of the national digital economy and enhance the country’s competitiveness.

There is a huge potential for cooperation between Tajikistan and Iran in the digital economy and artificial intelligence sectors. Given that the Islamic Republic of Iran is one of the developed countries in the field of technology, running extensive cooperation in this field will benefit both countries.

It should be noted that a memorandum of understanding has been signed between the two countries on the establishment of a joint technology center between Tajikistan and Iran in Dushanbe. The implementation of this project has been entrusted to the Agency for Innovation and Digital Technologies under the Presidency of Tajikistan and the Organization for Development of International Science and Technology Cooperation under the Vice-Presidency for Science, Technology and Knowledge-based Economy of the Islamic Republic of Iran. It is expected that the establishment of a joint technology center between Iran and Tajikistan will further contribute to the development of cooperation between the two friendly countries in the field of digital technologies and artificial intelligence.

Developing cooperation in the fields of rail, road and logistics transportation has been one of the main topics of discussion between the two countries. In your opinion, what impact will the completion of this cooperation have on bilateral trade and the connection of Central Asia to the Persian Gulf?

The expansion of communication infrastructure, the connection of land transportation networks, and the use of the capacities of the Chabahar and Bandar Abbas ports are considered important factors in the advancement of economic and trade cooperation, as well as the development of the transportation of goods and products between Tajikistan and Iran.

In this regard, a memorandum of understanding on international transport and transit through Chabahar Port, as well as cooperation between the Ministry of Transport of Tajikistan and the Ports and Maritime Organization of the Islamic Republic of Iran, has been signed to expand cargo transit through Chabahar Port, which will enable Tajikistan to use this port.

The Joint Commission on International Transport between the two countries is also active and follows up on matters related to rail, road and logistics transport.

Tajikistan and Iran based on bilateral documents and within the framework of agreed cooperation instruments, are trying to better utilize the facilities of available transport routes, launch an electronic system for obtaining transport permits, and eliminate existing obstacles and problems in the field of rail, road and logistics transport. On this point, the two sides, using their transit capacities, can create new transport corridors that will be effective in connecting Central Asia to the Persian Gulf and in boosting economic and trade cooperation. Proposals have been made in this regard and are currently being reviewed by the relevant authorities of the two countries.

Considering the increase of the numbers of direct flights and the growth in public travel, what prospects can be imagined for the development of tourism between Iran and Tajikistan in the next five years?

For the development of tourism between Tajikistan and Iran in the next five years and beyond, all the necessary conditions and frameworks have been available, such as linguistic, historical, cultural and civilizational commonalities, visa-free travel for 30 days, direct flights between the two countries, as well as historical monuments, tourist attractions and contemporary tourism infrastructure in Tajikistan and Iran. In fact, the visa-free travel from February 3, 2025 has led to a drastic increase in the number of tourists between Tajikistan and Iran. It is gratifying that fruitful cooperation has been established between the Committee for the Development of Tourism of Tajikistan and the Ministry of Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts of Iran, as well as tourism companies of the two countries.

Is it a possibility to define “joint cultural and civilizational tourism routes” between the historical cities of Iran and Tajikistan, and what role will these routes play in strengthening public diplomacy?

For Tajik tourists, it is exciting to visit the tombs of Ferdowsi and Ibn Sino (Avicenna), Kamal Khujandi, Hafez and Saadi, Attar and Khayyam, and to visit the historical monuments of the beautiful cities of Tus and Mashhad, Shiraz and Isfahan, Tabriz and Hamadan.

For Iranian fellows, visiting the tombs of Rudaki and Mir Said Ali Hamadani, visiting historical sites and tourist attractions in the cities of Dushanbe and Khujand, Kulob and Hisor, Panjakent and Bokhtar, and getting to know Khatlon, Badakhshan, Sughd and Zarafshan will be memorable.

Better and greater understanding of Tajiks about Iran and Iranians about Tajikistan means better understanding of themselves and their shared culture and civilization, and helps strengthen people-to-people diplomacy, which is the foundation for the sustainable development of relations between countries.