Dushanbe:
External Affairs Minister S M Krishna on Monday described India's relationship with Tajikistan as "excellent" after meeting his Tajik counterpart Hamrokhon Zarifi in Dushanbe during which the two leaders discussed bilateral issues like trade, energy and counter-terrorism besides situation in the region.
Krishna, who arrived in Dushanbe on a special flight for a two-day visit, was received by Tajikistan Deputy Foreign Minister Nizomiddin Zohidov at the Dushanbe International airport.
His visit to Dushanbe, first by any Indian External Affairs Minister in nine years, is part of India's 'Connect Central Asia Policy' to tap the natural resources-rich region.
The External Affairs Minister met his Tajik counterpart for 40-minutes during which they discussed cooperation in energy sector, economy and counter-terrorism besides other issues of mutual interest and on the situation in the region, especially Afghanistan, officials said.
Talking to reporters after the meeting, Krishna described the relationship between the two countries as "excellent". "India and Tajikistan have an excellent relationship, a very cordial one. This year we will be completing 20 years of diplomatic relations with the Tajikistan," he told reporters along with his Tajik counterpart Zarifi.
"We discussed bilateral issues and regional development and we also discussed the world's financial situation which is deteriorating every day and the possible impact it has on other countries. This is of great interest to both of our countries," Krishna said.
He said India is looking forward to the visit of Tajikistan President Emomali Rahmon in September, adding that this will cement already excellent bilateral ties.
Krishna will meet Rahmon on Tuesday.
"There was a long discussion about Afghanistan. They agreed that without a stable Afghanistan, the region cannot be stable," officials said, adding that the minister also briefed Zarifi about recent Afghan Investment Summit held in New Delhi.
They said the two leaders discussed several issues from economy to trade and investment in hydro-power sector. Tajikistan is rich in natural resources like hydro-power,which are estimated at the level of 527 billion kWt-h but only 3 per cent of this potential is being used.
India plans to build strong political relations with Central Asian countries through the exchange of high level visits and strengthen strategic and security cooperation including counter-terror cooperation with them. Krishna's visit is just a step in that direction, officials said.
The minister's tour also assumes significance as the strategically located Tajikistan shares borders with Afghanistan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan and China. Also, a narrow strip of land separates it from Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.
The ties between India and Tajikistan strengthened in the late 1990s, when they came closer following rise of Taliban in Afghanistan. The ties have grown stronger since 2002, especially on counter-terrorism and defense co-operation. The two countries have a Joint Working Group on Counter-Terrorism in place. Tajikistan, which shares over 1,400 km border with Afghanistan, faces threat from Taliban-linked terror groups like Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan.
India is also in talks with Tajikistan to set up a military hospital even as it maintains an airbase in Ayni there, the country's only such facility overseas.
However, despite close ties on counter-terrorism, the trade between two countries has been meager and was valued at USD 22.11 million in 2007-08.
India also plans to operate direct flights between New Delhi and the Tajik capital, beginning this month. "India plans to operate up to 14 flights to Dushanbe and on its part Tajikistan will launch four flights. Initially, India will start with four flights," officials said.
During his stay in Dushanbe, Krishna will also address a Regional Conference of Indian Ambassadors in the Eurasian Region and this includes Indian envoys to Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan.
This is the Sixth Regional Meeting of Heads of Mission that the External Affairs Minister is addressing. In recent months, Krishna has held such meetings of the Indian envoys on
a regional basis in Singapore, Cairo, Abu Dhabi, Madrid and Havana.