Relations between India and Tajikistan have been traditionally close and cordial. Since the establishment of diplomatic relations on 28 August 1992, regular high-level visits between the two countries have further cemented the bilateral ties. Deep rooted historical and cultural linkages have helped expand and widen the relationship to a new level. Cooperation between the two countries encompasses all aspects of human endeavor with special focus on military and defense ties.
Cooperation in International Forums/initiatives
Indian and Tajikistan have cooperated closely in various multilateral fora. In 2020, Tajikistan extended support for India’s candidature for a nonpermanent seat in UNSC for the term 2021-22. Tajikistan has publicly supported India’s bid for UNSC permanent membership including in the joint statement issued on 8th October 2018 during the state visit of President Shri Ram Nath Kovind. Tajikistan strongly supported SCO Member status for India. India supported Tajikistan’s accession to WTO in March 2013. India has consistently supported Tajikistan’s proposals at UN on water related issues. India also supported Tajikistan’s candidature to ECOSOC.
Development & Aid Partnership
Since Tajikistan’s independence in 1991, India has played the role of a development and aid partner for Tajikistan
Developmental Project Assistance
- In 1995, India extended a credit line of USD 5 million to set up a pharmaceutical plant (Ajanta Pharma)
- With a grant of USD 0.6 million, a Fruit Processing Plant was established in Dushanbe by HMTT (I) in 2005
- With a grant of USD 0.6 million, an Information and Technology Centre (Bedil Centre) was commissioned in 2006. The project ran for full hardware cycle of 6 years and trained almost all first generation IT experts in government sector in Tajikistan.
- India set up a Modern Engineering Workshop and commissioned it on 02 June 2011.
- India undertook rehabilitation and modernization of a 1936 vintage Varzob-1 Hydro Power Station through Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) and National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC).
- A project for setting up of computer labs in 37 schools in Tajikistan was completed
- , India shall be undertaking the construction of phase-I of a 8-lane highway from Chortut village to Ayni roundabout in Dushanbe
Humanitarian Assistance:
- India delivered USD 5 million worth of food assistance in 2001-02
- To overcome a crisis caused by an unprecedented harsh winter in January-February 2008, India gave a grant of USD 2 million (USD 1 million as cash assistance and USD 1 million in kind, such as power cables, generators and pump sets)
- In 2009, USD 200,000 cash assistance was given by India to overcome damage caused by floods in April-May 2009.
- After flashfloods in Kulyab province in May 2010, India provided USD 200,000 humanitarian cash assistance.
- After the outbreak of Polio in southwest Tajikistan, India provided 2 million doses of oral polio vaccine through UNICEF in November 2010.
- In 2015, India granted USD 100,000 as humanitarian assistance to Tajikistan for providing relief to the flood and mudslide-affected people of GBAO (Pamir) and Rasht valley.
- India provided USD 100,000 to Tajikistan in March 2017 as humanitarian assistance for natural disasters.
- In 2018, India gifted 10 Russian-made ambulances to various regions of Tajikistan
Connectivity, Trade & Economic Relation
- In December 2019, direct air connectivity between Delhi and Dushanbe was restored after almost one year when a Tajik private airline, M/S Somon Air started its operations.
- Since February 2020, Somon Air started operating a second weekly flight between Dushanbe and Delhi.
- Indian exports to Tajikistan mainly consist of pharmaceuticals, medical preparations, cane or beet sugar, tea, handicraft and machinery.
- Indian pharmaceutical products occupy approximately 25% of Tajik market.
- However, not all medical products are directly imported from India and some of it arrives in Tajikistan via Russia. Different types of ores, slag and ash, aluminum, organic chemicals, herbal oils, dried fruits and cotton are exported to India by Tajikistan
Private Investments and Projects
- A 5-star hotel constructed by M/s CHL Limited, India
- An Indian company KEC/RPG completed the construction of 116 km. long power transmission line from Sangtuda-1 Hydropower plant to Afghan border in October 2010 under an ADB financed project.
- BHEL supplied a 7 MW generator to the Tajik company “Pamir Energy” in 2011 under a commercial contract.
- Indian Company M/s Kalpataru bagged a contract worth approximately USD 22 million for construction of electric transmission lines under ADB financing and finished the project in early 2017
- Besides, there are other small private projects/companies/ clinics, which provide healthcare and other services in Tajikistan.
- Tajikistan has potential in hydroelectricity generation, power transport, mining, full chain of cotton processing, tourism, medical tourism to India
Cultural & People-to-People Relation
- India and Tajikistan share strong historical, cultural and linguistic ties.
- There is great liking for Indian culture and films and films and TV serials dubbed in Russian language are routinely shown on local TV channels.
- To further deepen and widen these cultural linkages, Swami Vivekananda Cultural Centre in Dushanbe offers courses in Kathak&Tabla through teachers deployed by ICCR from India. The centre also offers Hindi language classes
Yoga:
- Yoga is very popular among local people in Tajikistan. The Indian cultural Center offers regular Yoga classes using local yoga teachers.
- Every year International Day of Yoga is celebrated not only by the cultural center but by many private individuals/yoga centres across various towns in Tajikistan. In 2020 ‘My Life My Yoga’ video blogging competition saw participation from Tajikistan yoga enthusiasts across two categories.
Visas:
- Indian visa regime for Tajikistan is liberal. Visas are issued within one or two days. Vast majority of Tajiks travels on e-visa for tourism or medical treatment.
- Tajikistan has launched online visa regime including for Indian nationals. Indian Community in Tajikistan The total number of NRIs is estimated at about 1650, out of which more than 1450 are students pursuing MBBS course at the Avicenna Tajik State Medical University. The contribution of these students to Tajik GDP is approximately USD 9 million per year.
