Uzbekistan and Tajikistan have agreed to broaden intelligence sharing designed to reduce smuggling, terrorist financing, proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and the spread of violent extremism.
The agreement in April 2020 to share military intelligence deepens cooperation between two neighbors that have striven to improve bilateral relations over the past three years. The accord also provides for more joint exercises and exchange of military know-how.
Military cooperation between the two countries began to develop after Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev’s state visit to Tajikistan in March 2018. The engagement resulted in several historic defense agreements: on the transit of military cargo and military forces through the territories of the two countries, civil defense and regional crisis management.
In recent years, troops from both countries have held a series of joint exercises dealing mostly with terrorist response. The defense ministries of Uzbekistan and Tajikistan consider joint training a way to consolidate efforts to prevent the spread of terrorist groups into Central Asia.
April’s intelligence-sharing agreement provides for cooperation on collecting, processing and analyzing intelligence of mutual concern. Nevertheless, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan promised to adhere to national laws providing safeguards for distributing critical intelligence. Sources: Avesta, Asiaplus