Chabahar Port in Iran will boost India's trade links with Tajikistan, central Asia, says PM Modi

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday expressed hope that India would soon build a strong trade relation with Tajikistan and other central Asian nations after the completion of Chabahar Port in Iran to be jointly developed by New Delhi and Tehran.

The prime minister said India will work on trade and transit linkages with Tajikistan as well as other central Asian nations through the Chabahar Port.

He made the remarks following his meeting with the visiting Tajik President Emomali Rahmon here on Saturday.

“India and Tajikistan enjoy a rewarding partnership in capacity and institution-building.

“The president and I agreed on the need to increase the scope and scale of our economic engagement, especially trade and investment traffic,” PM Modi said at a joint press conference with President Rahmon.

Modi said that he had a “fruitful discussion” with President Rahmon and the two leaders also agreed that “peace in Afghanistan is important for the region”.

Pointing at the growing menace of terrorism in Asia and other parts of the world, Prime Minister Modi praised Tajikistan for its role in fighting terror.

“We appreciate Tajikistan's role in the central-Asian region as a mainstay against the forces of extremism, radicalism and terrorism,” he said.

Both the leaders also called for an end to sponsorship, support and safe havens to terrorists.

President Rahmon reaffirmed Tajikistan's resolve to strengthen bilateral counter-terrorism cooperation with India.

Reiterating Tajikistan's support to India's candidature for permanent membership of an expanded UN Security Council, the Tajik President also welcomed India's full membership of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation.

India and Tajikistan will mark their 25th anniversary of establishment of diplomatic relations in 2017.

The Tajikistan delegation has invited Indian companies to build a number of hydroelectric power projects in their country.

The Tajik leader welcomed the agreement among India, Iran and Afghanistan on establishing Chahbahar Transport and Transit Corridors and said that it will enable Tajikistan's connectivity to warm waters and to large Indian market.