India signs key agreements with Tajikistan
President Ramnath Kovind holds bilateral talks with his counterpart Ammoli Rahmon in Tajikistan; several agreements signed; India pledges 20 million dollars to aid Tajikistan’s development.
Monday saw President Ramnath Kovind receiving a formal reception on day-2 of his maiden Central Asia visit in Tajikistan’s capital Dushanbe.
The occasion saw the President being accorded a guard of honour. National Anthems of both the countries were also played. This was followed by bilateral level talks between President Kovind and his Tajikistan counterpart Emomali Rahmon.
Addressing the media after the talks, President Kovind said India and Tajikistan share historical relations and both nations will be strengthening them further based on tremendous underlying potential.
Indian grant of 20 million US dollars was announced for Tajikistan to finance development projects. Several other key bilateral pacts were also signed.
The two leaders agreed to strengthen political relations, strategic research, agriculture, renewable energy, traditional medicine, space technology, youth affairs, culture and disaster management relations between India and Tajikistan.
President appreciated Tajikistan’s role in getting India membership of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation which will boost strategic ties between the two countries.
The President added that both India and Tajikistan remain committed to end terrorism and radicalisation.
President Kovind also went to Tajikistan’s National University the same evening where he spoke on the challenge being faced by modern society in combating radicalisation and interacted with the university’s faculty.
The President commended Tajikistan’s commitment to combating terrorism on the occasion.
President Kovind interacted with the Indian community in Tajikistan on day-1 of his visit to the Central Asian nation. He said India and Tajikistan have been friends for long and every Indian in that country is its ambassador.
