Uzbekistan's foreign policy has undergone significant changes in domestic and foreign issues, since President Mirziyoyev came to power in 2016. Uzbekistan is the most populous country in Central Asia and in addition to sharing a 137-kilometer border with Afghanistan, the two countries have cultural, historical and linguistic commonalities. (Map quoted from Yahoo’s image)

 

While Uzbekistan has been active in the regional and international arena, its presence in Afghanistan's developments and peace process can introduce it as a regional player. So, Uzbekistan is trying to prove its capabilities to foreign actors such as the United States, Russia and China.

 

The appointment of a special representative of Uzbekistan in Afghanistan and the activation of relations at the highest level, the holding of an Afghan meeting in Tashkent, the consultations of Uzbek officials with the Taliban, etc. are also signs of Tashkent's desire to play a more active role in achieving peace and stability in Afghanistan.

 

In another dimension, Afghanistan has previously been a traditional battleground between Tajikistan and Uzbekistan (centered by Rabbani-Ahmad Shah Massoud and General Dostum). Now, increasing its role in the Afghan peace process can further enhance Tashkent's position among Afghan Uzbeks and the Afghan government. In addition, Uzbekistan wants to pursue its own security and political interests by increasing its involvement in the Afghan peace process.

 

The increasing presence of militants in the northern provinces of Afghanistan has made peace and stability in the country more important for Tashkent. Increasing the activity of Taliban and terrorist groups such as ISIS, and the Islamic Movement of Turkestan in the northern regions bordering Central Asia is a threat to the countries of the region and Uzbekistan. There is also the possibility of militants infiltrating Uzbek territory.

 

Meanwhile, given the developments in Afghanistan and its impact on the security environment in Central Asia, the need to strengthen interaction between countries in the region, increasing of cooperation between Uzbekistan and Afghanistan in the field of counter-terrorism, security consultations has been increased between Uzbekistan and other actors.

 

This has led Tashkent to want a greater presence in Afghanistan and the peace process. Therefore, it must be prepared to face the threats posed by the instability of the border areas.

 

Moreover, in Uzbekistan's strategic plans, Afghanistan's position is at the center of Tashkent's economic agenda.  Uzbekistan has concluded that peace and stability in Afghanistan are synonymous with stability and economic and security development in the region. Therefore, by increasing exports and trade turnover between Uzbekistan and Afghanistan, trying to implement large infrastructure projects, construction of the Mazar-Kabul-Peshawar railway, etc., Uzbekistan tries to establish direct or indirect economic relations with other countries and expand it through Afghanistan.

 

This is while, the significant expansion of bilateral relations with Afghanistan, the creation of investment facilities between the two countries and the realization of the dream of connecting Central Asia to  South Asia through Afghanistan will be pursued.

 

What is clear is that Uzbekistan has tried to prove its readiness to help Afghanistan's security and bring peace. Uzbekistan, meanwhile, is even trying to reach out to the Taliban at the request of Kabul as a mediator and host for the formation of talks between the Taliban and the Afghan government, and to find a common language between the Afghan government and the Taliban. Under these circumstances, although the prospects for peace in Afghanistan are very complex, the Tashkent approach could have positive consequences for the country.


 

Farzad Ramezani Bonesh

Senior Researcher and Analyst of International Affairs