The issues related to state and prospects of further expansion of bilateral relations and cooperation between Tajikistan and India first took place at the tete-a-tete meeting of the Founder of Peace and National Unity — Leader of the Nation, President of the Republic of Tajikistan, His Excellency Emomali Rahmon and Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi, and then continued during the top level intergovernmental talks in an expanded format.

President Emomali Rahmon thanked the Indian side for the invitation to pay a state visit, sincere hospitality, noting that the Tajik side has high hopes for fruitful results of today’s meetings and negotiations.

It was expressed satisfaction with the expanding partnership of Tajikistan and India in various fields, the successful continuation and development of multifaceted relations.

It was pointed out that next year will mark the 25^th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations, which are based on more than 60 intergovernmental and interdepartmental documents.

Among the priority and perspective directions of interstate cooperation of Tajikistan and India were mentioned spheres of trade, economy, agriculture, road infrastructure, telecommunications, information technology, pharmaceuticals, culture, education, tourism, as well as the sphere of military-technical cooperation.

It was emphasized that cooperation in these areas may be carried out through participation in the implementation of small and large-scale investment projects, construction and reconstruction of small and medium-sized hydroelectric power plants, construction of joint industrial enterprises, roads, infrastructure of Tajikistan. In addition, it is also possible to attract Indian investments to small and large projects in Tajikistan in the areas of agriculture, pharmaceuticals, telecommunications, information technology and tourism.

The sides expressed confidence in further enhancing the role of the Joint Intergovernmental Commission of Tajikistan and India on trade-economic and scientific-technical cooperation.

The talks were also marked by the interest of the Tajik side in the development of bilateral cooperation in the spheres of science, education and culture through the organization of programs for the study of modern computer and information technologies, as well as the training of qualified personnel.

President of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon, in order to continue the fruitful co-operation, stressed the importance of active participation of the Indian side in the construction and reconstruction of other hydropower facilities in Tajikistan, road transport infrastructure of regional significance.

During the continuation of exchange of views the parties also discussed issues of regional and international cooperation between Tajikistan and India within the framework of the UN and the SCO, finding of new solutions to major regional and global problems related to international terrorism, extremism, drug trafficking, as well as issues of promoting stability and security and social and economic development of Afghanistan.

Following completion of the meetings and negotiations at the highest level, a Joint Communiqué on strengthening bilateral relations between the Republic of Tajikistan and the Republic of India was adopted, and the following package of new documents on cooperation was signed as well in the presence of the President of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon and Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi.

Protocol amending the Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan and the Government of the Republic of India for the avoidance of double taxation and prevention of fiscal evasion with respect to taxes on income;

Memorandum of Understanding between the Financial Monitoring Department under the National Bank of Tajikistan and Financial Intelligence Unit of India concerning cooperation in the exchange of financial intelligence concerning money laundering related crimes and financing of terrorism;

MoU between the Committee of Television and Radio under the Government of Tajikistan and the Prasar Bharat — Public Service of Radio and Television of India on cooperation in radio and television fields and exchange of audiovisual programs.

After the negotiations and the ceremony of signing of the documents, President of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon and Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi held a joint briefing for media. The two sides, in particular, noted that the negotiations and the signing of new documents on cooperation were a significant event in the history of bilateral relationships.