DUSHANBE, 29.01.2022 (NIAT Khovar) – The Founder of Peace and National Unity, Leader of the Nation, President of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon adressed the first Central Asia – India Summit.

Prime Minister of India Nerendra Modi chaired the videoconference which was timed to coincide with the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the countries of Central Asia and India.

President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, President of the Kyrgyz Republic Sadyr Japarov, President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, and President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev were also in attendance.

The leaders summed up the results of long-term cooperation, considered the prospects for further development within the Central Asia-India summit.

President Rahmon called the current level of friendly relations and mutual political trust, mutual trade, and economic growth, culture and security a main result of this period.

At the same time, he stressed that India has now become an important partner in the region, and Tajikistan is optimistic about the future of the multifaceted relations with India.

President Rahmon emphasized the priority of trade and economic cooperation and the existence of many untapped opportunities in this area.

In this context, the active process of strengthening trade and economic ties in Central Asia in recent years and the growing economic outlook, which is characteristic of the entire region, was noted.

A proposal was made to develop a program of concrete measures for the effective implementation of the trade potential of the countries of the region within Central Asia – India dialogue.

It was noted that there are great opportunities for cooperation in the field of investment for the joint implementation of projects in industry, energy, transport, and infrastructure, as well as in the agricultural sector.

In this regard, the interest of Tajikistan in the establishment of joint production in the food, light industries, textiles, chemistry, medicine, and the processing of precious and semi-precious stones, was stressed.

President Rahmon stressed that cooperation in the energy sector is of great importance for sustainable economic development, and Tajikistan pays special attention to the process of establishing and strengthening cooperation to expand the capacity of processing «green energy» from renewable resources.

At the same time, the expansion of transport and communication ties was noted as an important factor in strengthening trade and economic cooperation between the countries. In this process, the interest of the Tajik side in the development of the Mumbai-Chabahar-Central Asia highway was confirmed.

President Rahmon expressed the view that the growing importance of ensuring food security requires active cooperation in the agricultural sector. In this regard, the growing negative impact of climate change on the economy and in particular on the agricultural sector was noted.

He identified the coordinated practical activities between the countries of the region and India in the field of environmental protection and biodiversity as one of the priority areas of cooperation.

Further strengthening the cultural and humanitarian ties was considered as another area of cooperation.

He also expressed his willingness on strengthening cooperation in the fields of education, tourism and health.

The continuation of cooperation in the field of combating the impact of COVID-19, and pursuing joint production of medical products were noted as important areas of relations.

In view of the difficult international situation, the fight against terrorism and all forms of extremism, transnational organized crime, and drug trafficking were considered as priorities.

In this regard, they drew their attention to the complicated situation in Afghanistan and supported the call of the United Nations for the need to provide humanitarian assistance to the suffering people of Afghanistan.

In conclusion, recalling the experience of constructive multilateral cooperation in the region, especially within the UN, SCO, CICA, President Rahmon stressed the importance of further developing cooperation within the Central Asia — India format.

Following the meeting, the heads of state adopted a joint declaration.