India and Tajikistan on the recently concluded five day visit
of President Emomalih Rahmon (from December 14th to 18th)
have agreed to strengthen trade links through Chabahar Port. The agreement
comes at a time when Pakistan is wooing nations to be part of the CPEC (China
Pakistan Economic Corridor) project. President Rahmon on his state visit to
India arrived in Kochi and after spending two days reached Delhi where he was
extended a ceremonial welcome at the Rashtrapati Bhavan. He later held talks
with President and Vice-President and issued a joint statement with Prime
Minister Modi.
Tajikistan which share southern boundaries with Pakistan
& Afghanistan and eastern boundary with China is a strategically important
partner in our extended neighborhood. India’s direct access to Tajikistan is
restricted due to the adjoining Gilgit-Baltistan controlled by Pakistan. India
has its lone overseas air base at Farkhor, South West of Dushanbe and is cause
of severe discontentment to China and Pakistan. India has built a military
hospital near the airbase. Sadly, no credible information about its activities
is available currently as the base hasn’t been in use since 1980s. But some
reports suggest that the airbase was in dilapidated condition and government
awarded a tender of $10 million to a private firm for its restoration in 2003.
India and Tajikistan have cordial friendly relations with
shared interests in regional security and development. On his fifth State visit
to India in 2012 President Rahmon and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh have
elevated bilateral relations to Strategic Partnership. The cooperation
encompasses a wide spectrum of areas like political, economic, military,
health, education, human resource development, defence, counterterrorism,
culture, tourism, science, and development. While Tajikistan support India’s
bid for permanent membership at extended UNSC, India helped Tajikistan’s
accession to WTO. Both countries have been actively working through
Multilateral Fora like UN and SCO (Shanghai Cooperation Organization). Earlier
in 2015, Prime Minister Modi on his bilateral visit to Central Asia
strengthened bilateral relations. Later both leaders met along sidelines of SCO
at Tashkent in 2016.
While the aerial distance between India and Tajikistan is
95km, but the volume of business transactions is much below the potential. Since
goods are to be transported through a circuitous route, bilateral trade is severely
hampered. (From India to Bandar Abbas by sea and then via Turkmenistan and
Uzbekistan finally to Turkmenistan). As of 2014-15 bilateral trade stands at
$58 million. Now countries have decided to enhance trade and transport links
through the Chabahar port in Iran which can provide connectivity to Tajikistan.
India is actively working towards development of the International North South
Corridor which includes Tajikistan. At Hyderabad House, shortly after the
bilateral talks, both sides inked pacts on bilateral investment, avoidance of
double taxation and prevention of fiscal evasion. Underscoring the need for
surface connectivity for greater economic cooperation, leaders opined that
accession to Ashgabat agreement will improve connectivity of Tajikistan to
Central Asia. Leaders have also explored possibilities of increasing flight
services between both countries.
Rahmon during his current visit sought Indian investments in
small & medium hydroelectric power projects and in four free economic zones
developed in Tajikistan. He appreciated India’s efforts in modernization of
Vazrob-1 hydroelectric plant. Both sides have also agreed to enhance defence
cooperation and signed pacts against terror financing and money laundering. India
and Tajikistan expressed concerns over growing terrorism and extremism in the
region that threaten the peace, stability, and security of the region. Leaders
agreed to work towards the development, restoration of peace and prosperity of
Afghanistan. President Rahmon thanked India for setting up 37 computer labs in Tajikistan.
Both sides reviewed the progress of projects under implementation and in
pipeline. collaborate in capacity building at Tajikistan, application of space
technology for human development and agriculture. Key areas of bilateral
cooperation currently have been pharmaceuticals, information technology and
hydel-power. Commemorating 25 years of diplomatic partnership both countries
reaffirmed to elevate bilateral ties to newer heights by 2017. Both countries share deep-rooted history and
heritage and leaders reiterated that greater cultural exchange and people to
people contact can rekindle friendship.
Despite strong cultural, linguistic, and religious connect
with Central Asia India failed to fully capitalize on its friendly ties with
this extended neighbor because of connectivity issues. Pakistan to provide India access to Central
Asia. This vehement denial prompted India and Afghanistan to seal a trilateral
transit agreement with Iran culminating in development of Chabahar port for
strengthening economic cooperation. India and Tajikistan share multiple
security threats and challenges. Combatting terror and development of nations
in the region have emerged as two formidable concerns in the region. In a bid
to deepen engagement, both countries have agreed to step-up cooperation to
extricate terror in all forms and manifestations in the region.
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