Karimov warns Putin:

Uzbekistan President Islam Karimov on Monday warned Russian President Vladimir Putin over the growing dangers of extremism in Central Asia, his first trip abroad since claims from the exiled opposition sparked rumours about the Uzbek strongman’s health.

The talks marked a rare visit to the Kremlin for Uzbekistan’s first and only post-Soviet leader, whose country has fallen into increasing isolation, not only with strained relations with the West but also testy ties with former Soviet master Moscow.

Karimov, who has sought to distance Uzbekistan from both its Soviet past and Western culture, last visited Moscow for a bilateral visit back in April 2010, although he attended a regional summit in the Russian capital in May 2012.

Russian state television pictures showed Karimov in apparent good form and in characteristic style warning Putin about the danger of extremism in the volatile exSoviet Central Asia region bordering Afghanistan.

“No-one has declared war on us. But the consequences of the expansion in terrorism, extremism and religious radicalism could be far worse than open war,” said Karimov.

He warned that the risks were particularly real ahead of the planned withdrawal of coalition troops from Afghanistan, with which Uzbekistan shares a short but vulnerable border.

“The balance of powers in the region is constantly changing and not always for the best. We need to meet more often,” Karimov told Putin, noting Russia’s key role in the region.