Tajikistan Prez to start a five day India visit from tomorrow

New Delhi, Aug 5 (UNI) Giving a big boost to India's engagement in Central Asia, Tajikistan President Emomali Sharifovich Rahmonov will arrive here tomorrow on a five-day State visit, two days after the two countries agreed to jointly combat terrorism and narcotics smuggling and impress upon all countries to deny safe haven to terrorists.

The Tajikistan President will hold talks with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and other Indian leaders on issues including energy cooperation and counter-terrorism.

Beginning his State visit on Monday with a ceremonial reception at Rashtrapati Bhavan, Mr Rahmonov will be in the capital till Tuesday and then travel to Jaipur and Hyderabad.

He will meet Dr Singh at 1115 hrs on Monday, followed by delegation-level talks between the two countries.

The two countries wil also sign several agreements for stepping up bilateral cooperation.

This will be followed by a business meeting organised by the CII, FICCI and ASSOCHAM.

Vice Pesident Bhairon Singh Shekhawat and UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi will call on him tomorrow evening.

He will also meet former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee at the latter's Krishna Menon Marg residence and will later call on President A P J Abdul Kalam who will host a banquet in his honour.

On Tuesday, the visiting President will give an address at the Indian Council of World Affairs (ICWA)on 'Tajikistan and the Vision of Central Asia' In the afternoon he will leave for Jaipur and later to Hyderabad.

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