SPEECH BY PRIME MINISTER AT THE BANQUET DINNER HOSTED BY PRESIDENT OF TAJIKISTAN

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Following is the text of the Prime Minister’s speech at the banquet dinner hosted by the President of Tajikistan at Dushanbe, today:

"Your Excellency, Mr. President,

My delegation and I thank you for your warm words and for your justly famous hospitality.

This is my first visit to your beautiful country. Tajikistan is a new country, but an ancient nation. I have spent less than a day here, but the extent of our cultural interaction is clearly visible.

These links date back to the days of Alexander the Great and the Kushan empire, and are practically as old as recorded history itself. The teachings and poetry of Sufi saints such as Amir Khusrau and Mir Sayyed Hamadani have forged an unbreakable bond between our cultures. From language, architecture and music to philosophy and even cuisine, there is much here which is very familiar to an Indian.

Mr. President, We are here to strengthen our bilateral relationship on the foundation of our historical associations and shared commitment to regional stability, democracy and secularism. I am happy to find an equal interest in Tajikistan for a multifaceted partnership with India.

We have agreed to sustain the rapid expansion of our bilateral relations. Over the last decade, we have already established excellent political relations and enduring cooperation for regional stability. There are still untapped complementarities between your resource-rich country and our technical capabilities.

The areas for potential interaction range from machine tools, food processing and consumer goods to hotels, hydroelectric power and road infrastructure. I hope the financial assistance which we have offered you can be used for mutually identified projects in some of these areas.

Mr. President, We have common perspectives on regional and international issues. We are both concerned by the effects of instability in our shared neighbourhood. We are aware that despite our successes in the recent past, the battle against terrorism and religious extremism is far from over. We need to remain vigilant to defeat terrorism and to stop those who support it in whatever form. India will continue to work closely with Tajikistan to achieve this vital objective.

Ladies and Gentlemen ,I request you to join me in a toast:

To the health of His Excellency President Rakhmonov;

To the progress and prosperity of the friendly Tajik people;

To eternal friendship between India and Tajikistan.

Thank you."