Russia, Tajikistan agree to bolster guarding of Tajik-Afhgan border

Russian President Vladimir Putin (L) shakes hands with Tajikistan President Imomali Rakhmon during Putin's welcome reception for foreign delegations' heads and honorary guests in the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia, May 9, 2015. REUTERS/Host Photo Agency/RIA Novosti

DUSHANBE (Reuters) - Russia and Tajikistan agreed to bolster guarding of the former Soviet republic's border with Afghanistan to prevent a spillover of the conflict there, Russia's President Vladimir Putin said on Monday.

"We have agreed to make an effort on the protection of the Tajik-Afghan border, including using the existing Russian military base in Tajikistan," Putin said after meeting his Tajik counterpart Imomali Rakhmon in the capital Dushanbe.