The Founder of Peace and National Unity – Leader of the Nation, President of the Republic of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon met in the Palace of the Nation with President of the Republic of India Shri Ram Nath Kovind, who has arrived in Tajikistan on a state visit.

During the restricted-attendance meeting and talks with the delegations, a wide range of issues on bilateral cooperation were discussed.

The head of our state, Emomali Rahmon, welcomed the President of India here in Tajikistan and expressed confidence that this visit will give a new impetus to the further development of bilateral friendly relations and win-win cooperation between the two countries.

The two sides expressed satisfaction with the steady development of bilateral friendly relations.

It was noted that the legal base of bilateral relations now counts around 60 important documents that cover practically the areas of trade, economic, cultural, and humanitarian, military-technical cooperation.

The sides attached great importance to further development of the political dialogue between the two countries, strengthening of inter-parliamentary relationship to effective implementation of legal acts. During the discussion of economic issues, they called for stepping up of activity of Intergovernmental Commission on Trade-Economic and Scientific-Technical Cooperation.

Taking into account existing potential of Tajikistan, the sides stipulated the importance of attracting Indian investments in the economy of Tajikistan and creating joint industrial enterprises and the participation of the Indian side in energy projects, in particular renewable energy.

 “We are ready to establish cooperation with India in the field of mining, in particular, in the development of metals and minerals, including silver, antimony, copper, precious stones. In Tajikistan, there are more than 200 mineral springs and 18 medical lakes, as well as more than 3.5 thousand species of medicinal plants, which allows us to establish cooperation with India in the field of healthcare and health tourism, the creation of diagnostic and clinical centers, pharmaceutical companies», — said Emomali Rahmon.

While discussing expanding of cultural, humanitarian and scientific ties, the two sides highlighted university scholarships offered by the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) and the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation.

Both states effectively cooperate in the field of security and defense. The parties expressed their appreciation for the activities of the Joint Working Group on Defence Cooperation. The construction of the «Tajik-Indian Friendship Hospital» in Khatlon Province is a vivid example of bilateral security cooperation.

During the discussion of international issues, special attention was paid to cooperation in the fight against terrorism, extremism, drug trafficking and other forms of transnational organised crime.

It was noted that ensuring peace and stability in Afghanistan has been identified as a key factor in ensuring security throughout Central and South Asia Regions.

Tajikistan and India have been cooperating for a long time in the format of various regional and international organizations, particularly United Nations, and cooperation within the framework of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization will be another factor in the implementation of constructive cooperation between Tajikistan and India.

During the meeting, the parties also exchanged views on other topical issues of the international agenda.

Following the talks, the President of Tajikistan and the President of India adopted the Joint Statement. Other documents signed include:

Memorandum of Understanding between the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan and the Government of the Republic of India on Cooperation in the field of Disaster Management;

Memorandum of Understanding between the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan and the Government of the Republic of India on Cooperation on Peaceful Use of Space Technology for Development;

Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation in Youth matters between the Committee on Youth Affairs and Sports under the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan and the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports of the Republic of India;

Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Energy and Water Resources of the Republic of Tajikistan and Ministry of New and Renewable Energy of the Republic of India on Cooperation in the Field of Renewable Energy;

Memorandum of Understanding between Academy of Agricultural Sciences of the Republic of Tajikistan and Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), New Delhi, India for Cooperation in Agricultural Research and Education; 

Memorandum of Understanding between Academy of Agricultural Sciences of the Republic of Tajikistan and Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR);

 Memorandum of Understanding between State Educational Establishment “Tajik State Medical University named after Abuali Ibn Sino” and the Central Council for Research in Unani Medicine, an Organization under the Ministry of AYUSH, Government of the Republic of India on Cooperation in Unani Medicin;

Programme of Cooperation between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Tajikistan and the Ministry of External Affairs of the Republic of India for the period 2018-2021;

Cultural Exchange Programme between the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Tajikistan and the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of India for the period 2019-2023;

Memorandum of Understanding between the Centre for Strategic Researches under the President of the Republic of Tajikistan and Vivekananda International Foundation, New Delhi.