Diplomacy Hub: China’s diplomatic pull is intensifying as major powers stack state visits in Beijing, underscored by a sharp jump in first-quarter trade to 11.84 trillion yuan (+15% y/y), with Tajikistan among the regional leaders engaging China. Water Security: Tajikistan hosted high-level water talks under the Dushanbe Water Process, with UN envoy Retno Marsudi stressing collective action; Tajik and China also pledged deeper ecology and water cooperation, including glacier preservation and green energy projects. Tajikistan–China Cooperation: Foreign Minister Sirojiddin Muhriddin said joint “Water and Science” work will back glacier protection and biodiversity, while renewable energy and disaster monitoring plans move forward. Tajikistan–Iran Trade: The Tajikistan–Iran joint commission reported Q1 trade turnover at $119.6m (+8% y/y), with agreements signed to expand energy, water, transport, investment, and technology ties. Regional Security: Russia signed a military-technical cooperation deal with the Afghan Taliban, raising alarm over cross-border militant risks near Tajikistan; Russia’s FSB also warned ISIS-K is recruiting Central Asians via migrant networks. SCO Finance: SCO finance ministers and central bank heads met in Bishkek, discussing the SCO Development Bank and financial infrastructure, with Tajikistan pushing priority investment portfolios. Domestic Policy: President Rahmon ordered stronger teaching of the Persian “ancestral alphabet,” linking education policy to cultural identity.