DUSHANBE, September 4, 23012, Asia-Plus  -- On Monday September 3, President Emomali Rahmon met his Indian counterpart, President Shri Pranab at Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi.

According to the Tajik president’s official website, the sides discussed a number of international and regional issues being of mutual interest.  The President of India later hosted a Banquet in honor of President Rahmon.

Both leaders reportedly expressed satisfaction with the results of President Rahmon’s state visit to India.

On the same day, Rahmon held talks with the Vice-President of India Mohammad Hamid Ansari.

The Vice President of India  is the ex-officio Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, who presides over its sessions.

The Rajya Sabha or Council of States is the upper house of the Parliament of India.

The two reportedly discussed issues of expansion of inter-parliamentary cooperation between the two countries, strengthening of democratic institutions and ensuring supremacy of law.     

During the visit, the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Mr. Sushma Swaraj, called on the President of Tajikistan on September 3.

The Lok Sabha or House of the People is the lower house of the Parliament of India.

During the meeting, President Rahmon reportedly noted that India is attractive to Tajikistan not only due to its economic successes, it is attractive to Tajikistan also due to its rich democratic traditions.

On the same day, President Emomali Rahmon attended a business meeting jointly organized by ASSOCHAM, CII and FICCI.  Issues related to expansion of economic and investment cooperation between the two countries was the focus of the meeting.

On the sidelines of the meeting, the Ministry of Energy and Industries of Tajikistan signed cooperation agreements with Indian companies Khoday Group of Industries, BHELL, Gemfields, and Chadha Power.  Besides, the Academy of Sciences of Tajikistan and the India-Central Asia Foundation (ICAF) signed a memorandum of understanding, and the Main Geology Directorate under the Government of Tajikistan and India’s Khoday Group of Industries signed an agreement on scientific and technical cooperation.

President Rahmon also met Sri Hari Khoday, CEO of Khoday Group, in New Delhi on September 3.  Tajik president reportedly raised the issue of prospects of cooperation of that company with Tajikistan at the meeting with Sri Hari Khoday.