On December 17, 2016, the Founder of Peace and National Unity — Leader of the Nation, President of the Republic of Tajikistan, His Excellency Emomali Rahmon’s state visit to the Republic of India began with an official welcoming ceremony at the Rashtrapati Bhavan Presidential Palace.

A salute of 21 guns was fired in honor of the state visit of the Leader of the Nation, His Excellency Emomali Rahmon.

President Emomali Rahmon was greeted by the President of India Pranab Kumar Mukherjee and Prime Minister of this country Narendra Modi,who invited the distinguished guest to the tribune of honor.

The official welcoming ceremony started with the report of the commander of the Guard of Honor, the performance of national anthems of both countries, and then continued by a passage of the high-ranking guest before the guard of honor and a tribute to the National Flag of India.

Later on, Emomali Rahmon and Narendra Modi introduced their accompanying officials respectively.

After an official welcoming ceremony, President Emomali Rahmon and the official delegation of Tajikistan visited Raj Ghat memorial complex, where the Leader of the Nation paid a tribute to Mahatma Gandhi.

President of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon as a sign of special respect for the historical, cultural and national values of India laid a wreath at the memorial to Mahatma Gandhi and made an entry in the book of honorable guests.

President Emomali Rahmon in this ceremony is accompanied by representatives of the Government of India.

A collection of books of Mahatma Gandhi was presented to the Leader of the Nation Emomali Rahmon.