Celebrating a unique 30-year relationship: India-Tajikistan ties on the upswing
India-Tajikistan relations have traditionally been close and cordial. Regular high-level visits between the two countries have strengthened bilateral ties since the establishment of diplomatic relations on August 28, 1992. Deep historical and cultural ties have aided in expanding and broadening the relationship to a new level. Cooperation between the two countries spans all spheres of human endeavour, with a particular emphasis on military and defence ties.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Tajikistan in the year 2015. During the visit of the Prime Minister, both sides decided to step up cooperation in the spheres of defence, connectivity and in the fight against terrorism.
India to hold first India-Central Asia Summit:
India will soon host the first meeting of the India-Central Asia Summit in a virtual format on January 27, 2022, in a major push towards its extended neighbourhood policy. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be hosting the first of its kind engagement between India and Central Asian countries (Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan). According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), during the first India-Central Asia Summit, the leaders are expected to discuss steps to take forward India-Central Asia relations to newer heights. During the high-level meeting, the leaders are expected to discuss the evolving regional security situation in the context of the deteriorating security situation in Afghanistan.
India-Tajikistan Bilateral Relations
Both countries have five bilateral consultative mechanisms in the form of-
(i) Foreign Office Consultations (four rounds held; last in December 2018 in New Delhi).
(ii) Joint Working Group on Counter-terrorism (three rounds held; last in June 2017 in Dushanbe).
(iii) Joint Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific and Technical Cooperation (11th meeting held in Delhi in February 2020).
(iv) JWG on Defence Cooperation (7th Meeting held on 26-27 July 2018 in Dushanbe).
(v) JWG on Peaceful Use of Space Technology for Development (Second Meeting was held on 31 Aug 2020 through Direct Video Conferencing.)
Cooperation on International Forums:
Tajikistan generally backs India in most elections for UN bodies and other international organizations. Tajikistan expressed support for India’s candidacy for a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council for the term 2021-22. Tajikistan has publicly supported India’s bid for UN Security Council permanent membership, including in a joint statement issued on October 8, 2018, during President Ram Nath Kovind’s state visit. Tajikistan was a staunch supporter of India’s SCO membership. In March 2013, India backed Tajikistan’s WTO accession. India has consistently supported Tajikistan’s water-related proposals at the United Nations. India also backed Tajikistan’s ECOSOC candidacy.
Connectivity, Trade & Economic Relation:
Trade and economy are the weakest links in India-Tajikistan relations, which are exacerbated by the two countries’ lack of reliable land connectivity. The trade route through Iran and Turkmenistan is occasionally hampered by US sanctions against Iran and the ups and downs of Turkmen-Tajik relations. After nearly a year, direct air connectivity between Delhi and Dushanbe was restored in December 2019. Pharmaceuticals, medical preparations, cane or beet sugar, tea, handicrafts, and machinery are the most common Indian exports to Tajikistan. Indian pharmaceutical products account for approximately 25% of the Tajik market. However, not all medical products are imported directly from India; some arrive in Tajikistan via Russia.
MoU between India and Tajikistan on Cooperation in the field of Renewable Energy:
An (MoU) Memorandum of Understanding between India and Tajikistan was signed on Cooperation in the field of Renewable Energy on 8th October 2018. The MoU will allow India and Tajikistan to establish a foundation for a cooperative institutional relationship to encourage and promote bilateral technical cooperation in the field of new and renewable energy on the basis of mutual benefit, equality, and reciprocity.
It will concentrate on the development and deployment of new and renewable energy, as well as energy storage technologies. It will strengthen bilateral cooperation through the exchange and training of scientific and technical personnel, the exchange of scientific and technological information and data, the organisation of workshops, seminars, and working groups, the non-commercial transfer of equipment, know-how, and technology, the development of joint research or technical projects on topics of mutual interest, and other modalities as agreed upon by the two countries.
