Relations of the Republic of Uzbekistan with the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan

Abstract

The subject of the following article’s research is the contacts in the political and economic sphere between Uzbekistan and Afghanistan after the Taliban took power. This article aims to answer the following research question: what are the dynamics of economic and political relations between Tashkent and Kabul after 2021? In order to answer the above question, it is necessary to analyse a series of events from 2021–2023 in the context of an attempt at peaceful coexistence. The above considerations allow for a side research question, how did the pattern of cooperation between the Taliban and the authorities in Tashkent take shape? An indispensable element in this aspect will be to take into account Uzbekistan’s lack of affiliation to any military bloc or multi-vector policy, manifested in a willingness to cooperate with all concerned regardless of previous animosities. The guiding conclusion is that the maintenance of the dynamics of economic and political relations between Tashkent and Kabul is due to the desire to protect the national interest of the Republic of Uzbekistan.