Defense minister George Fernandes arrived in Tajikistan early on Thursday for a two-day visit focussed on the fight against terrorism and boosting bilateral military cooperation, Tajik defence officials said.
Fernandes was due to meet with Tajik President Emomali Rakhmonov, Prime Minister Akil Akipov and defence minister general Sherapi Khairullayev.
Fernandes and his hosts will also touch on regional security, said defence ministry spokesman Zarobiddin Sirodzhev.
A high-ranking military delegation visited Dushanbe in February. In December, during a visit by Khairullayev to New Delhi, the two countries signed a protocol on military-technical cooperation and exchanges of information in the fight against international terrorism and separatism.

Both Russian allies, Tajikistan and India backed the Tajik-dominated Northern Alliance in Afghanistan during last year's defeat of the Islamist Taliban regime.

Bureau Report