The areas which form the two countries were once connected, especially during the Samanid, Ghaznavid, Timurid and Durrani periods.[5] After the 1895 Pamir Boundary Commission protocols were signed between Russia and Britain, the Amu River became the border of Afghanistan.[6]Persian language is widely used in both countries, and there are slightly more ethnic Tajiks in Afghanistan than in Tajikistan. The citizens of both countries are usually friendly and respectful toward each other.
Diplomatic relations between the two countries were officially established on June 15, 1992. The outbreak of the Tajikistani Civil War complicated matters as most of Tajikistan's southern border region (Khatlon and Gorno-Badakhshan) was contested between Tajik government forces (and allied Russian border guards) and the United Tajik Opposition, which was supported by forces of the Islamic State of Afghanistan. During 1992, at least 80,000 citizens of Tajikistan sought refuge in Afghanistan. The Tajik opposition leaders enjoyed the support of the Afghan government and based themselves there, mainly in Badakhshan Province.[7] The civil war in Afghanistan had likewise caused refugee migration between the two countries, this time citizens of Afghanistan fleeing to Tajikistan as refugees and asylum seekers.[8]
Tajikistan opened its embassy in Kabul when the Karzai administration took control of Afghanistan. The consulate in Mazar-i-Sharif was also opened around that time.[9] Presidents Emomalii Rahmon of Tajikistan and Hamid Karzai of Afghanistan met on the sidelines of the 2004 Economic Cooperation Organization summit held in Dushanbe. In April 2005 Rahmon made an official visit to Afghanistan.[9] Diplomatic, business and cultural ties between the two countries have been gradually expanding since then.[10][11][12] There are an estimated 13,600 Afghans in Tajikistan.[13][14] About 500 are studying in different universities in Tajikistan.[15]
Afghanistan and Tajikistan share a roughly 1,300-kilometer (810mi) border, which is monitored and controlled by both nations.[22] Transportation links between the two countries, such as the Afghanistan-Tajikistan Bridge, have been rebuilt with assistance from external powers.[23][24]
The Afghanistan–Tajikistan border is sometimes used by criminals for illegal activities.[25][26] Border clashes are also reported between local security forces.[27][28][29] In late 2024 a citizen of China working in Tajikistan was mysteriously killed.[30][31] In 2018 four international cyclists were attacked and killed by militants in the Danghara District of Tajikistan.[32][33][34][35]
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