The boundary became an international frontier in 1991 following the dissolution of the Soviet Union and the independence of its constituent republics . Tensions since then have been high , with several high-level Tajik politicians asserting the traditional claim to Bukhara and Samarkand , and Uzbek politicians asserting their right to protect Uzbeks living in Tajikistan . Uzbekistan accused Tajikistan of allowing the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan ( IMU ) to base itself in its territory ; following the 1999 Tashkent bombings , said by Tashkent to be the work of the IMU , Uzbekistan began unilaterally demarcating and mining the border . Relations between the two states have markedly improved since the death of Uzbek President Islam Karimov in 2016 ; new president Shavkat Mirziyoyev has vowed to improve relations with Tajikistan , and there have been recent high-level moves to de-mine the border and improve cross-border travel
1999 Tashkent bombings
1999 Tashkent bombings
Tajikistan–Uzbekistan border