Tajik FM arrives; Pak-Afghan-Tajik pact to figure in talks

Tajikistan Foreign Minister Aslov Sirojidin Muhridinovich arrived here today on a five-day visit during which he will hold talks with his Indian counterpart Sushma Swaraj and Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar.
The visit by the Tajikistan leader comes within days of Prime Minister Narendra Modi making it clear that India was ready to join a Pakistan, Afghanistan, Tajikistan Trade and Transit Agreement as the fourth partner. He had conveyed this to Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani during his recent visit here.
India's joining "would allow the arrangement to contribute in a meaningful manner to the vision of wider regional economic integration", an India-Afghanistan joint statement said after the meeting between Modi and Ghani.

The issue is likely to be discussed when Swaraj and the Tajik leader hold meeting on Wednesday even as the visit is expected to enhance bilateral cooperation in key areas of defence and trade, according to sources.
Apart from delivering a lecture at the Indian Council of World Affairs, the visiting dignitary will also meet chairman of the National Building Construction Corporation Ltd.
During his five-day stay, he will also travel to Agra before leaving on Friday.