Kyrgyzstan says to swap land with Tajikistan, ending years-long spat

Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan reach historic border deal, exchanging territories and easing access to shared resources after decades-long dispute.

Kyrgyzstan announced Thursday (February 27, 2025) it would exchange territories disputed with Tajikistan since the fall of the Soviet Union, ending a decades-long spat between the Central Asian neighbours.

The border between the two countries has seen sporadic deadly clashes since both became independent in 1991, with the neighbours fighting over access to water and resources in the remote region.

Both sides announced a border demarcation deal last December, but neither had detailed territorial concessions until now.

Also Read: Explained | Analysing the Kyrgyzstan-Tajikistan conflict 

Under the deal, Kyrgyzstan will receive around 25 square kilometres (10 square miles) from Tajikistan in exchange for land and better access to shared water resources, according to the head of Kyrgyzstan's secret service Kamchybek Tashiev.

"Negotiations have reached the final point and can be discussed openly from today," Tashiev told the Kyrgyz parliament.

"After parliamentary consideration, the presidents will sign, then ratification, and finally, the final version will be signed by the heads of two states. And a treaty will be drawn up between the two countries."