Afghanistan Asylum Strain: Afghan asylum seekers in Pakistan, Iran and Tajikistan say they’re stuck in limbo, facing economic hardship, social restrictions and fear of forced deportation while children lose access to regular education. Tajikistan Trade Surge: Tajikistan’s foreign trade turnover hit $6.82bn in Jan–Jun 2026, up 44.2% y/y, with China the top partner ($1.78bn) and Kazakhstan third ($770m), as bilateral trade with Kazakhstan rose 1.4-fold. Budget Momentum: Tajikistan’s state budget revenues reached 36.4bn somoni (about $3.94bn) in H1 2026, with the plan fulfilled at 114% and 30.3bn somoni allocated to economic and social sectors. China-Tajik Diplomatic Push: Chinese FM Wang Yi met Tajik FM Sirojiddin Muhriddin, highlighting the China-Tajik treaty on permanent good-neighborliness and a joint statement to deepen the strategic partnership. SCO Foreign Policy Talks: Pakistan’s Ishaq Dar met regional counterparts including Tajikistan on the SCO sidelines, while Dar urged the SCO to press the Taliban on counter-terrorism commitments. Aviation Deal for Dushanbe: Shohin Airlines (Dushanbe) ordered four Airbus A320neo-family jets, aiming to expand Tajikistan’s international connectivity. Regional Connectivity Funding: The World Bank approved a $20m grant to boost transboundary water cooperation in Central Asia, with Tajikistan among participating states. Cross-border Business Flows: Uzbekistan saw 205,937 Afghan business visitors in Jan–Jun 2026, with Tajikistan listed among the top sources. Transport Investment Pipeline: A new Eurasian Development Bank report puts ongoing and planned Eurasian transport corridor projects at $345bn, with Central Asia accounting for over 21% of investment.