Key facts
- Officials from Central and South Asia met in Tashkent on June 4 for the Termez Dialogue.
- Participants agreed on the strategic importance of integrating Afghanistan into regional trade networks.
- Central Asian states view Afghanistan as a route to seaports.
- Broader reasons exist for deepening engagement with the Taliban leadership.
Officials from Central and South Asia convened in Tashkent on June 4 for a discussion on regional trade and connectivity, known as the Termez Dialogue. The participants were in agreement regarding the strategic necessity of incorporating Afghanistan into regional trade networks. However, the gathering did not prominently feature discussions on the specific methods to achieve this integration. For the Central Asian states, Afghanistan represents the most direct path to a seaport. Beyond this geographical advantage, there are wider considerations driving the desire for increased engagement with the current Taliban leadership.