DUSHANBE, August 9, Asia-Plus - President Rahmonov is in India on his five-day visit.

On August 7, in the evening, Emomali Rahmonov met in New Delhi with his Indian counterpart, President APJ Abdul Kalam.  Their talks focused on state and prospects of further expansion of Tajik-Indian cooperation, according to presidential press service. 

On Tuesday, Rahmonov met with Indian Vice-President Bheron Singh Shehoat, leader of Indian Congress Sonia Gandhi and ex-Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee to discuss bilateral cooperation between Tajikistan and India.  The sides also touched upon issues related to intensifying cooperation in combating terrorism and curbing the spread of narcotics in the region.

President Rahmonov also took part at a business meeting of Indian and Tajik entrepreneurs in New Delhi.  The meeting focused on issues related to further expansion of economic cooperation between the two countries.  Rahmonov urged Indian industry to study investment opportunities in Tajikistan, which had rich mineral resources and huge hydro power potential.  Speaking to Indian businesspeople Rahmonov outlined tourism, pharmaceutics, construction, agriculture, hydropower, food supplies and minerals, as areas of which could drive the bilateral trade between the two countries.  He especially invited Indian investments in hydro power, noting that Tajik authorities were currently discussing with potential investors for setting up large-scale hydro-power projects in Tajikistan.   

During his stay in India Rahmonov is also scheduled to visit the city of Haidarabad.  Today, Rahmonov is supposed to visit India’s Center for Information Technologies.