Tajikistan
Relations between India and Tajikistan have been traditionally close and cordial. 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 defence ties. In general, Tajikistan supports India in most elections for UN bodies and other international organisations. In June 2022, Tajikistan conveyed its decision to support India’s candidature for membership in Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage. In 2020, Tajikistan extended support for India’s candidature for a non-permanent seat in UNSC for the term 2021-22. Tajikistan has publicly supported India’s bid for UNSC permanent membership. India has consistently supported Tajikistan’s proposals at UN on water related issues. India also supported Tajikistan’s candidature to ECOSOC.
Cooperation to tackle the challenge of COVID-19 Pandemic
- Since the outbreak of COVID-19 in 2020, India has provided humanitarian medical assistance to Tajikistan. In May 2020, India provided 50,000 HCQ tablets and 100,000 Paracetamol tablets to Tajikistan, and sent another consignment of 4.6 tons of medical supplies. In June 2020, India sent another 800 Kgs of medicines and medical accessories to Tajikistan. India has also supplied 890,500 doses Covishield Covid-19 vaccines to Tajikistan under Covax scheme.
Capacity Building & Other Exchanges
- Since establishment of the Indian Embassy in Dushanbe in 1994, Tajikistan has been a beneficiary of ITEC programme. In October 2018, the number of ITEC slots for Tajikistan was enhanced from 150 to 200. Every year about 25 ICCR scholarships are offered to Tajik citizens. About 1455 ITEC slots and 392 ICCR scholarships have been utilized by Tajik candidates so far. In the financial year 2017-18, Eurasia Division financed 60 additional slots for customised training of Tajik experts in the field of remote sensing. In FY 2019-20, 10 Tajiks joined Kendriya Hindi Sansthan, Agra to study Hindi. In FY 2022-223, 12 Tajiks joined Kendriya Hindi Sansthan, Agra to study Hindi. In 2019, under India-Central Asia Dialogue Process, 8 Tajik diplomats were trained at Foreign Service Institute, Delhi. Both in 2018 and 2019, one Tajik diplomat was trained under Foreign Service Institute’s PCFD program. Since 2002, 48 students have gone to learn Kathak/music/vocal/instrumental music in India. ICCR under its Atal Bihari Vajpayee General Scholarship Scheme offered 20 slots for the year 2022-23 & 30 slots for 2023-24, to pursue higher studies in India.
- With help of funds provided by Indian Ministry of Culture to friendship societies in Tajikistan, Embassy has opened a few India Study Corners in some prominent Universities/Institutions in Dushanbe, Khorog, Konibodom and Panjikent to cater to the increasing demand for study of Indian languages and yoga in Tajikistan.
- A Hindi-Urdu Chair was established in the Tajik State University and since January 2019 a Professor has been deployed by ICCR at the university till date.
Development Cooperation (Grants/ LoCs/ Assistance)
- In 1995, India extended a credit line of USD 5 million to set up a pharmaceutical plant (Ajanta Pharma). The Government of India thereafter converted the principal amount along with the accrued interest of USD 3.37 million into a grant in November 2003.
- With a grant of USD 0.6 million, a fruit processing plant was established in Dushanbe by M/s HMT in January 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 the first-generation IT experts in government sector in Tajikistan.
- With a grant of about USD 0.75 million, India set up a modern engineering workshop and commissioned it in June 2011. The project is running successfully.
- 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). After renovation, the installed capacity was enhanced from 2x3.67 MW to 2x4.75 MW. The rehabilitated power station was inaugurated in December 2012 and is running successfully.
- A project for setting up of computer labs in 37 schools in Tajikistan, announced in July 2015 was completed and delivered in August 2016 at a cost of USD 6,02,701/-.
- Under the USD 20 million grant announced during the state visit of President of India to Tajikistan in October 2018, India commenced with the construction of phase-I of an 8-lane highway project from Chortut village to Ayni roundabout in Dushanbe at a cost of approximately USD 17.54 million and the project was completed and handed over in 2022.
- In March 2021 as announced during official visit of EAM, India provided USD 2 million financial assistance to Tajikistan to help conduct SCO Head of State Summit in Dushanbe in Sep 2021.
- In December 2021, India has signed an MoU with Tajikistan for Indian Grant Assistance for implementation of high impact community development projects of a capital cost up to US$ 1.5 million each.
Special Endeavour: 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 June 2009, USD 200,000 cash assistance was given by India to overcome damage caused by floods in April-May 2009.
- After flash floods 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 September 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 March 2018, India gifted 10 ambulances to various regions of Tajikistan.
