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India.com
01-08-2025
- Politics
- India.com
After Thailand-Cambodia clash, another region near India's western border turns volatile, not Pakistan, the countries involved are...
After Thailand-Cambodia clash, another region near India's western border turns volatile, not Pakistan, the countries involved are... In recent times, several parts of Asia have seen growing tension and conflict. Thailand and Cambodia were involved in a violent border clash that lasted for days. Myanmar, one of India's neighbors, has been facing a long-running civil war. Now, trouble seems to be building up along India's western borders as well and this time it is between Afghanistan and Tajikistan. According to The Economic Times, Tajikistan has increased its military presence along the border with Afghanistan due to rising security concerns. A regional group called the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) is also stepping in by sending weapons and soldiers to help protect the area from possible terrorist threats or conflict. CSTO meeting focuses on securing Tajikistan-Afghanistan border Tajikistan is a member of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), a group that also includes Russia, Kazakhstan, Armenia, Kyrgyzstan, and Belarus. Interestingly, Russia is the only country in the group that has officially recognized the Taliban government in Afghanistan. In a recent CSTO meeting, the member countries agreed that Tajikistan should increase its military presence along the border it shares with Afghanistan. The goal is to deal with rising security risks in the region. During the meeting, the countries prepared a list of weapons, military gear, and technical equipment that will be provided to help strengthen Tajikistan's border forces. In a statement, the CSTO said it is deeply concerned about the situation at the Tajik-Afghan border and is taking steps to reinforce security there. Tensions still high between Afghanistan and Tajikistan Relations between Afghanistan and Tajikistan have remained tense ever since the Taliban returned to power in 2021 and took control of Kabul. This tension has also been visible along the shared border between the two countries. One major reason for the strained relationship is that about 30 per cent of Afghanistan's population is of Tajik origin. Many leaders of the anti-Taliban Northern Alliance are currently based in Tajikistan, which has led to mistrust on both sides. It's not just Tajikistan—other nearby countries are also worried about the possible entry of ISIS-linked terrorists from Afghanistan. Tajikistan, which shares a 1,300-kilometer-long border with Afghanistan, has been vocal about the growing security threats along the frontier. However, Taliban officials have claimed that Afghanistan poses no threat to its neighboring countries.
Time of India
30-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Tajikistan readies defences along its Afghanistan border
Tensions are building up in India's western neighbourhood with Tajikistan making defence preparedness along its border with Afghanistan. The Collective Security Treaty Organisation or CSTO of Eurasia has deployed weapons along the Tajik-Afghan border anticipating clashes and conflict and to prevent any terror attacks into Tajikistan, ET has learnt. Tajikistan is a member of CSTO that also comprises Russia, Kazakhstan, Armenia, Kyrgyzstan and Belarus. Interestingly, Russia has recognised Taliban 2.0, the only country to formally do so. Explore courses from Top Institutes in Please select course: Select a Course Category MBA Others Cybersecurity Public Policy Degree healthcare Digital Marketing Project Management Technology MCA Data Science others Data Science Operations Management Leadership Finance Design Thinking Data Analytics Management CXO Artificial Intelligence PGDM Product Management Healthcare Skills you'll gain: Analytical Skills Financial Literacy Leadership and Management Skills Strategic Thinking Duration: 24 Months Vellore Institute of Technology VIT Online MBA Starts on Aug 14, 2024 Get Details Skills you'll gain: Financial Management Team Leadership & Collaboration Financial Reporting & Analysis Advocacy Strategies for Leadership Duration: 18 Months UMass Global Master of Business Administration (MBA) Starts on May 13, 2024 Get Details The CSTO members have emphasised the need to strengthen Tajikistan's border with Afghanistan during a recent meeting. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like At Last, An ED Pill for 87¢ That Actually Works Health Alliance by Friday Plans Learn More Undo Participants of the meeting also finalised a list of weapons, military equipment and technical tools intended for border protection which are to be produced by CSTO member states and delivered to Tajik border forces. According to a CSTO press release, "A meeting of representatives of the customer-coordinator and national state customers of the Targeted Interstate Program of the Collective Security Treaty Organization to strengthen the Tajik-Afghan border was held at the CSTO Secretariat. Acting CSTO Secretary General Valery Semerikov took part in the event." Live Events The CSTO members in the past had emphasised the need to bolster the Tajik-Afghan border in various meetings. Ties between Tajikistan and Afghanistan have been tense ever since Taliban 2.0 came to power in Kabul in 2021. Nearly 30% of Afghanistan's population are of Tajik origin and leaders of anti-Taliban Northern Alliance are based in Tajikistan. The move comes amid concerns among regional countries regarding the possible infiltration of ISIS terrorists from Afghanistan. Tajikistan, which shares a 1,300-km border with Afghanistan, has been especially vocal, warning of the deteriorating humanitarian and security conditions just across the border. Officials from the Taliban have consistently downplayed these concerns, insisting that Afghanistan poses no threat to its neighbours.
Forbes
18-07-2025
- Politics
- Forbes
Russia's Military Alliance Is Slowly Unraveling
ASTANA, KAZAKHSTAN - NOVEMBER 8: Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev (C), Russian President ... More Vladimir Putin (3rd R), Kyrgyz President Sooronbay Jeenbekov (3rd L), Tajik President Emomali Rakhmon (2nd R), Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan (L) and Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko (2nd L) pose for a photo during a session of the Collective Security Council of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) at the Independence Palace on November 8, 2018 in Astana, Kazakhstan. Leaders of Russia, Kazakhstan, Armenia, Tajikistan and Kyrgystan have gathered in Astana for a one-day summit. (Photo by Aliia Raimbekova/) Getty Images Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan held a press conference with media representatives this week to discuss Armenia's economic and social issues, as well as the country's relationship with Russia. During the session, he also hinted at Armenia's future in the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO). Formed in 1992, the CSTO was created to serve as a military alliance for countries in Eastern Europe, the Caucasus, and Central Asia. The organization, led by Russia, was seen as a successor to the Soviet-led Warsaw Pact during the Cold War. Armenia was one of the founding members of the CSTO. Since joining the organization, the Armenian military has conducted numerous training exercises and operations with the other CSTO members. The Armenians even chaired the organization in 2021. Since then, Armenia's relationship with the CSTO and Russia has faltered. Armenia accused the CSTO of failing to 'fulfill its obligations to Armenia.' The Armenians stated that the collective did not send protection during Azerbaijan's attacks in 2020 and 2023. As a result, Armenia froze its membership in the organization in February 2024. Since then, Armenia has not participated in CSTO training exercises. During the July 16 press conference, Pashinyan was asked about Armenia's future in the CSTO. The Armenian prime minister stated that it was 'more likely for Armenia to withdraw from [the CSTO] than to reactivate its membership.' Should Armenia withdraw from the CSTO, it would not be the first time a country has left the organization. For example, after joining in 1992, Azerbaijan and Georgia did not to renew their membership in 1999. Instead, these two countries chose to develop stronger relationships with other countries and organizations beyond the Russian-led CSTO. Then, in 2012, Uzbekistan withdrew from the CSTO after it claimed the collective had failed to come to its defense during a skirmish with fellow CSTO member Kyrgyzstan. Other countries have had issues with the CSTO and Russia. For example, Kazakhstan has toyed with the future of its membership. When the Russian Federation launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the Russians turned to the CSTO for assistance. In response, the Kazakh government rejected Russia's full-scale invasion by not supporting Russian territorial gains in Ukraine. Instead, the Kazakh government sent humanitarian aid to Ukraine. Kazakh officials have also distanced themselves from Russia. For example, in October 2022, Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev opted not to hold a bilateral meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin during a summit in Kazakhstan. The episode caused Putin to state that Russia demanded respect from Kazakhstan. Then, in June 2023, Tokayev did not attend a Russian-led economic forum in St. Petersburg. Since then, Kazakh officials have begun meeting more regularly with their counterparts from the United States, the United Kingdom, and the European Union. CSTO members Belarus, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan have not been as defiant toward Russia as Armenia and Kazakhstan. But they still have had their differences. In the case of Belarus, the Belarusian military has continued to hold training exercises and engagements with Russian forces. Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has also met with Putin frequently to discuss the economic and energy relationship between Belarus and Russia. Despite this continued interaction, Lukashenko has repeatedly denied Putin's request to send Belarusian soldiers into Ukraine. In addition, a Newsweek report stated that most Belarusian citizens oppose their country's participation in Russia's war. Similarly, several Belarusian military officers do not want to participate in Russia's war. Meanwhile, the Kyrgyzstani government has been hesitant toward its relationship with the CSTO and Russia. In October 2022, Kyrgyzstani President Sadyr skipped an economic gathering organized by the Russian Federation. Kyrgyzstan then canceled a CSTO training exercise that it was supposed to host. Additionally, the Kyrgyzstani government has not deployed soldiers to assist Russia in its war. Finally, a report by The Diplomat stated that the Kyrgyzstani government has advised citizens not to travel to Russia. Finally, like the other CSTO members, Tajikistan has opted not to send soldiers to help Russia fight in its war against Ukraine. Additionally, a report by Eurasianet found that several dual Tajik-Russian citizens have considered relinquishing their Russian nationality as they do not want to be conscripted into the Russian army. Given these developments, a sense of uneasiness is growing across the CSTO. Some members have begun distancing themselves from the Russian Federation, and two countries have openly defied the military organization. The CSTO was formed as a successor to the Warsaw Pact, but the organization is now facing serious challenges. It remains to be seen how Russia will mend its relationship with the other members so that its security collective does not falter.
EVN Report
18-07-2025
- Business
- EVN Report
Marathon Press Conference, Issues of Connectivity and New Political Parties
In EVN Report's news roundup for the week of July 18: a U.S.-backed proposal to lease a 32-km stretch of Armenian territory linking Azerbaijan to Nakhichevan raises questions over sovereignty; PM Nikol Pashinyan holds a marathon press conference on regional connectivity, Armenia's EU path, the CSTO and more; and from detention, Russian-Armenian billionaire Samvel Karapetyan announces plans to launch a new political party.
Russia Today
16-07-2025
- Politics
- Russia Today
Armenia hints it may leave Russian-led military alliance
Armenia will likely quit the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has said. Yerevan suspended its participation in the organization a year ago, claiming that it had failed to adequately support the country during its conflict with Azerbaijan, which ended with the forcible repatriation of the Nagorno-Karabakh region. Russia and Armenia were among the former Soviet republics which founded the CSTO in 1992; it also includes Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan. Russia has argued that the CSTO could not have considered Baku's military operation in the area as aggression against an alliance member, due to Armenia never recognizing Nagorno-Karabakh as its own territory. Moscow also pointed out Yerevan's repeated rejection of the territorial compromise proposals with Baku which were suggested by Russian authorities. Pashinyan said during a press conference on Wednesday that 'regarding the issue of leaving or not leaving the CSTO, I will say that it is most likely that Armenia will leave the CSTO rather than unfreeze its participation.' Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said previously that being in the alliance is a 'sovereign decision' for Yerevan to make. 'The membership in the CSTO brings certain benefits to Armenia… the CSTO is an organization that has repeatedly demonstrated its efficiency,' he argued. Yerevan has become increasingly pro-Western under Pashinyan; during the press-conference, the prime minister reiterated that 'Armenia wants to be a member of the EU,' reflecting a law signed earlier this year indicating this intention. However, he acknowledged that it will be 'a complicated process' as the country would need to meet certain standards and get approval from all member states. Tensions have been high in Armenia in recent weeks following the arrest of two senior clerics of the Armenian Apostolic Church (AAC) and one of its key supporters, Russian-Armenian businessman Samvel Karapetyan. They have been accused of plotting to overthrow Pashinyan's government after urging people to protest the prime minister's decision to hand over several border villages to Azerbaijan. Peskov said last month that Moscow was 'interested in the preservation of law and order in Armenia' and that members of the large Armenian diaspora in Russia have been following the events in the country 'with pain.'
