US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Tajik Foreign Minister Sirojiddin Muhriddin have held high-level talks in Washington, focusing on expanding economic cooperation, strengthening regional security, and boosting investment across Central Asia.

The meeting covered a broad agenda, including bilateral relations, counterterrorism cooperation, regional stability, and new opportunities for trade and investment, The Caspian Post reports via the US Department of State.

During the talks, Rubio highlighted the importance of exploring stronger commercial cooperation in critical minerals and other strategic sectors, reflecting growing US interest in Central Asia's resource potential.

The two sides also discussed expanding security cooperation and counterterrorism efforts, while reaffirming the importance of the C5+1 diplomatic platform, which brings together the US and the five Central Asian nations.

The US Department of State also emphasized Tajikistan's commitment to global health cooperation, pointing to the five-year bilateral Memorandum of Understanding on Global Health signed in April. The agreement is the first health partnership of its kind in South and Central Asia under the Trump administration's "America First" Global Health Strategy, focusing on shared responsibility, national ownership, and accountability.

Meanwhile, Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs Paul Kapur praised Tajikistan's vital role in securing its border with Afghanistan and assisting to prevent the spread of terrorism and transnational crime. He reaffirmed the longstanding security partnership between the two countries.

Kapur also noted that the US recognized Tajikistan's independence nearly 35 years ago, underscoring that bilateral relations continue to advance Washington's priorities of regional security and economic prosperity.

Looking ahead, Tajikistan announced that it will host the next B5+1 meeting, a move expected to strengthen commercial diplomacy and deepen economic cooperation throughout Central Asia.