Tajik president’s official website reports Tajik President Emomali Rahmon on December 17 met in New Delhi with Vice President – Chairman of Rajya Sabha (Council of States) – Upper Chamber of Parliament of India Mohammad Hamid Ansari.  

The two sides reportedly discussed issues related to state and prospects of further expansion of bilateral cooperation between Tajikistan and India.  

Rahmon and Ansari expressed confidence that in the future the parliaments of the two countries will make a more active contribution to the creation of an enabling framework for the further development of the Tajik-Indian relations in politics, security, economy, education and culture.

They also exchanged views on bilateral and multilateral cooperation between Tajikistan and India within the framework of membership in major regional and international organizations.

On the same day, President Rahmon held talks with the President of India Pranab Mukherjee at Rashtrapati Bhavan Presidential Palace in New Delhi, according to the Tajik president’s official website.

The sides reportedly discussed the current state and prospects of further expansion of bilateral relations and cooperation between Tajikistan and India in the areas of common interest.

Attraction of Indian investments for implementation of hydropower projects in Tajikistan with regard to their effect on the economy of Afghanistan and India and creation of favorable conditions for the transport and transit between countries of the region were mentioned among significant steps towards development and deepening of bilateral relations between the two countries.  

The parties also exchanged views on expansion of bilateral cooperation between their countries in the areas of investment, energy, education, culture and military-technical cooperation.

They also expressed satisfaction with the level and content of military-technical cooperation between Tajikistan and India.  

At the end of the meeting, President Emomali Rahmon invited President of India Pranab Mukherjee to pay an official visit to Tajikistan at any time convenient to him.  The invitation was accepted with gratitude.  The dates of the visit will be agreed through the diplomatic channels, the website said. 

Meanwhile The Economic Times (India) reports Tajikistan President Emomali Rahmon, who was on a state visit to India from December 14-18, arrived in Kochi, a major port city on the south-west coast of India, Wednesday evening.

Kochi is part of the district of Ernakulam in the state of Kerala.

Ernakulam District Collector Mohammed Y Safirulla and top officials of the state government received the President and the delegation accompanying him at Kochi International Airport on their arrival from Colombo, according to the Economic Times.

Hindustan Times reports Tajik President Emomali Rahmon left for New Delhi on December 16 after spending two days in Kochi.

Indian MFA reports Tajik President Emomali Rahmon paid a State visit to India from December 14-18 when his official program included ceremonial reception at Rashtrapati Bhavan, meetings with President Shri Pranab Mukherjee, Vice President Shri M. Hamid Ansari and Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and Banquet hosted by President Shri Pranab Mukherjee.

President of Tajikistan and Prime Minister of India reportedly held wide-ranging talks on bilateral, regional and international issues.  The discussions were warm and cordial reflecting the mutual trust that exists between the two strategic partners with deep connections in history, language, traditions, arts and culture. The two leaders expressed satisfaction at the close cooperation between the two secular, peace loving, neighboring countries.  Noting that 2017 will mark the 25th anniversary of establishment of diplomatic relations between India and Tajikistan they reaffirmed their commitment to take bilateral relations to greater heights.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi reportedly recalled his highly successful visit to Tajikistan in July 2015 and said that he cherished the warm hospitality that he received during that visit and valued the fruitful discussions that he had with President Rahmon in July 2015 in Dushanbe and in June 2016 on the sidelines of SCO Summit in Tashkent.

The two leaders reviewed the bilateral defense and security cooperation and decided to further extend and expand existing cooperation.  They welcomed the successful conclusion of the Foreign Office Consultations on November 17, 2016 and the meeting of the Joint Working Group on Defense Cooperation on November 2, 2016 and agreed that this kind of consultations along with Joint Commission of Trade, Economic, Scientific and Technical Cooperation, Joint Working Group on Counter-terrorism and regular consultations between National Security Council must continue for mutual benefit.

The two leaders discussed situation in the region and stressed that terrorism and extremism seriously threaten peace, stability and progress for all countries.

The two leaders agreed that terrorism in all its forms and manifestations must be eliminated without any distinction between good and bad terrorists and called for an end to sponsorship, support and provision of safe havens and sanctuaries to terrorists.  Both leaders reaffirmed their resolve to strengthen bilateral counter terrorism cooperation, expand security and defense ties and work for early adoption of the Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism by the UN General Assembly.

Reaffirming their shared interest in fostering peace, stability and development in Afghanistan for regional security and stability, the two leaders called for an Afghan-led and Afghan-owned peace process and national reconciliation.  As neighbors of Afghanistan, India and Tajikistan will work together to contribute to Afghan peace and prosperity.

The two leaders stressed on the importance of taking joint measures to expand and diversify present bilateral trade, which is below potential. They welcomed the holding of business to business meetings in Dushanbe in March 2016 and participation of Tajik officials and businessmen in major fairs and exhibitions in India. Tajik Side invited Indian investment in Tajikistan including in the four free economic zones that exist in Tajikistan.  Recalling Indian contribution in rehabilitation of Varzhob-I Hydel Power Plant, Tajik Side informed that Tajikistan is planning to build a number of small and medium hydroelectric power projects and invited investments from Indian companies.

The two leaders stressed the importance of improving regional connectivity for realizing the full potential of trade and underlined the importance of International North South Transport Corridor in this context. President Rahmon welcomed signing of trilateral agreement among India, Iran and Afghanistan on establishing Chahbahar Transport and Transit Corridors adding that among other avenues it provides connectivity of Tajikistan to warm waters and also to large market of India.

Tajik side appreciated India as a partner in development. Both sides took note of projects under implementation as also those in the pipeline in diverse fields including information technology, agriculture, heath care, training and capacity building, education and culture. President Rahmon thanked India for setting up of computer labs in 37 schools of Tajikistan as announced during Prime Minister’s visit to Tajikistan in July 2015.  The two leaders decided to collaborate for capacity building in Tajikistan in the area of application of space technology for human development.  They reiterated their interest in cooperating in the farming sector for self-sufficiency in food.  They agreed that sustainable generation and distribution of energy is important for regional development. President Rahmon lauded the initiatives of the International Solar Alliance and noted that solar energy projects could be very useful in remote mountainous areas of Tajikistan.

The two leaders called for exploring the possibility of increasing flight operations between the two countries.  They asked respective officials for bilateral consular consultations to explore ways for easier business, medical and tourist and other visas to promote people to people exchanges.

Prime Minister Modi and President Rahmon agreed to celebrate the 25th year of establishment of Diplomatic relations in a befitting manner through festivals, cultural events, conferences and other means of mutual interaction.  The two leaders called for greater exchanges of films, TV program and other cultural creations between the peoples of the two countries.

The two leaders expressed satisfaction at the excellent cooperation between India and Tajikistan on multilateral issues and mutual support for the initiatives of the two countries in the United Nations and other international forums.  President Rahmon thanked India for cosponsoring resolution strongly moved by Tajikistan for declaration of years 2018-28 as International Decade of Action: Water for Sustainable Development.

The two leaders called for comprehensive reforms of the UN structures. President Rahmon reiterated support of Tajikistan to India’s candidature for permanent membership of an expanded UN Security Council. He also welcomed India's imminent full membership of Shanghai Cooperation Organization.

President Rahmon extended invitations to Prime Minister Modi and President Mukherjee to visit Tajikistan.