India, Tajikistan to step up ties in defence, connectivity

Simran Sodhi

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Tribune News Service

New Delhi, December 17

India and Tajikistan today came together on two important issues — cooperation in countering terrorism and enhancing connectivity via the strategic Chabahar Port. This was announced at the end of talks between visiting Tajik President Emomali Rahmon and Prime Minister Narendra Modi today.

Modi said he and Rahmon discussed defence and security ties as “the threat from terrorism endangers not just our two countries. It casts a long shadow of instability over the entire region”. The PM added India’s membership of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization would be a “valuable platform to work closely on regional security and counter-terrorism efforts with Tajikistan”.

He pitched for increasing connectivity via the Chabahar Port and said: “India supports initiatives to develop the port and transport infrastructure and connecting it through road and rail network to Afghanistan, Tajikistan and Central Asia.”