On December 24, 2024, Tajik President Emomali Rahmon met with Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Igora resort in Leningrad oblast, where they discussed the strengthening of bilateral relations between Tajikistan and Russia. Rahmon expressed satisfaction with the cooperation, emphasizing that Russia is a main strategic partner for Tajikistan. The two leaders noted a significant increase in trade, which rose nearly 20% to reach US$1.79 billion [16e1ae0b].
A key focus of their discussions was the enhancement of educational cooperation. Putin announced plans to increase the number of Russian teachers in Tajikistan from 72 to 82, reflecting a commitment to improving educational opportunities in the country [16e1ae0b]. Furthermore, the leaders discussed the importance of humanitarian contacts and educational opportunities for Tajik students in Russia, with a quota set for 1,000 students to study there [16e1ae0b].
Additionally, the talks included discussions on enhancing security cooperation, particularly in light of Tajikistan's upcoming chairmanship in the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) [16e1ae0b]. This meeting underscores the growing ties between the two nations, as they seek to bolster economic and educational collaboration while addressing regional security concerns [16e1ae0b].