PM stresses on connectivity to Afghanistan, Tajikistan and Central Asia

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday stressed on the need to develop the existing port and transport infrastructure and connectivity through road and rail network to Afghanistan, Tajikistan and Central Asia.

In a statement issued after Tajikistan President Emomali Rahmon's state visit, the Prime Minister said, "(The) President and I agreed on the need to increase the scope and scale of our economic engagement, especially trade and investment traffic.

In this context, hydel-power, information technology, pharmaceuticals and healthcare would be areas of priority action, said the statement.

"We agreed that enhanced surface connectivity is crucial to realize the promise of our economic partnership for the benefit of our countries.

India supports initiatives to develop the existing port and transport infrastructure and connecting it through road and rail network to Afghanistan, Tajikistan and Central Asia," it added.

To achieve this, the Prime Minister said that work would be done to build trade and transit links through Chahbahar port in Iran.

India is also engaged in facilitating the International North South Transport Corridor with other members, including Tajikistan.

"Our planned accession to the Ashgabat Agreement will further help in linking us to Tajikistan and Central Asia. India and Tajikistan enjoy a rewarding partnership in capacity and institution-building, including under the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation training programme," said the statement.