Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan have agreed to resume cross-border bus services and reopen freight railway routes, marking a significant step forward in bilateral cooperation after years of border-related disruptions.

The press center of the Ministry of Transport (MoT) reports that Tajikistan’s Minister of Transport Azim Ibrohim on May held a meeting with his Kyrgyz counterpart Absattyr Syrgabayev in Kazakhstan's capital, Astana, on May 15 to discuss restarting regular bus services along the routes Khujand–Osh, Khujand–Batken, and Isfara–Batken.  These routes had been approved and operational prior to the closure of the border in May 2021.

Talks also included proposals to relaunch freight services via the Spitamen–Istiqlol–Spitamen railway section in Tajikistan’s Sughd province to facilitate cargo movement from Kyrgyzstan.  Officials say restoring this link will help strengthen the transit potential of both countries and boost regional trade.

The discussions come on the heels of a landmark border agreement signed by the presidents of Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan on March 13.  The agreement finalized the delimitation of the shared border and led to the reopening of two of the five border crossing points (BCP): Guliston–Kyzyl-Bel and Madaniyat–Kairagach.

Authorities reportedly say the remaining three BCPs are expected to resume operations soon.  In a further sign of improving relations, air travel between Dushanbe and Bishkek has also been restored.