Prez Kovind arrives in Tajikistan for wide-ranging talks

President Ram Nath Kovind on Sunday arrived in Tajikistan on a three-day state visit during which he will hold talks with the country's top leadership to strengthen India's ties with the Central Asian country.

The President and First lady Savita Kovind were welcomed by Deputy Prime Minister Zokirzoda Mahmadtoir and First Deputy Foreign Minister Nizomiddin Zohidi upon their arrival at the Dushanbe International Airport, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) Spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said in a tweet.

This is Kovind's first visit to Central Asia.

During his visit from October 7-9, he will meet his Tajik counterpart Emamoli Rahmon and speaker of Parliament Shukurjon Zuhurov. Tajik Prime Minister Qohir Rasulzoda will also call on Kovind, the MEA said Saturday in New Delhi.

Kovind will visit the Tajik National University where he will deliver an address on 'Countering Radicalisation: Challenges in Modern Societies'. He will also address the Indian diaspora.

The President will pay his respects to Mahatma Gandhi and Rabindranath Tagore by visiting their memorials here and will offer floral tributes.

All areas of bilateral, regional and multilateral cooperation are expected to be discussed during Kovind's visit, the MEA said.

Given the close relationship between the two countries, the visit is expected to lead to further strengthening of the Indo-Tajik bilateral relations, it said.

Tajik President Rahmon has visited India five times with his last visit being in December 2016.