India and Tajikistan on Saturday stressed that terrorism and extremism seriously threaten peace, stability and progress for all countries and agreed that terrorism in all its forms and manifestations must be eliminated without any distinction between good and bad terrorists.
Both the nations also called for an end to sponsorship, support and provision of safe havens and sanctuaries to terrorists.
Holding wide-ranging talks on bilateral, regional and international issues, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Tajikistan President Emomali Rahmon reaffirmed their resolve to strengthen bilateral counterterrorism cooperation, expand security and defence ties and work for early adoption of the Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism (CCIT) by the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).
The two leaders reviewed the bilateral defence 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 and the meeting of the Joint Working Group on Defence Cooperation on November 2.
Both the leaders 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.
Reaffirming their shared interest in fostering peace, stability and development in Afghanistan for the regional security and stability, the two leaders called for an Afghan-led and Afghan-owned peace and national reconciliation process. As neighbours of Afghanistan, India and Tajikistan will work together to contribute to Afghan peace and prosperity, they noted.
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 and also welcomed India's imminent full membership of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation.
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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. Both 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 and called for greater exchange of films, TV programmes and other cultural creations between the peoples of the two countries.
Stressing on the importance of taking joint measures to expand and diversify present bilateral trade, which is below potential, the two leaders welcomed the holding of business to business meetings in Dushanbe in March and participation of Tajik officials and businessmen in major fairs and exhibitions in India. Tajik Side invited Indian investment, including in the four free economic zones that exist in Tajikistan.
Recalling Indian contribution in rehabilitation of Varzhob-I Hydel Power Plant, the Tajik side said their nation is planning to build a number of small and medium hydroelectric power projects and invited investments from Indian companies.
They also stressed the importance of improving regional connectivity for realising 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, heathcare, 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 the 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, while noting 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.
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, neighbouring countries.
President Rahmon paid a State visit to India from December 14-18 when his official programme included ceremonial reception at Rashtrapati Bhavan, meetings with President Pranab Mukherjee, Vice President M. Hamid Ansari and Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Banquet hosted by President Mukherjee.
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