India and Tajikistan today signed a 'Programme of Cooperation' for 2021-2024, expanding further the trade and economic ties, investment, scientific and technical collaboration, cooperation in industry, energy, culture and education spheres.

Ahead of the third meeting of the 'India and Central Asia Dialogue' on Sunday, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Tajikistan Foreign Affairs Minister Sirojiddin Muhriddin met in New Delhi on Saturday.

Both ministers exchanged views on expanding bilateral cooperation in energy, connectivity, trade, security and capacity building.

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They also discussed the security situation in Afghanistan and decided to work together in regional and international organisations.

New Delhi thanked Dushanbe for the support it extended during the evacuation of Indians, as well as some members of the Afghan minority community, in August and September after the return of Taliban in the country.

"Of course as neighbours of Afghanistan, we have been very concerned at the developments there. And the participation of the Secretary of your Security Council in the Regional Security Dialogue, which we hosted in November, is something which is deeply appreciated," said Jaishankar in his opening remarks at the meeting.

The minister said that 2022 will be a very special year for the relationship between the two countries as it will be the 30th anniversary of the diplomatic ties and  also India will be celebrating 75 years of its independence.

"During the meeting, the Foreign Ministers discussed the issues of development of bilateral relations and stressed the need to implement the agreements reached by the leaders of the two countries on strengthening mutually beneficial cooperation between Tajikistan and India in various fields," said the Tajik Foreign Ministry.

At the end of the meeting, the 'Programme of Cooperation' and the MoU between the Center for Professional Development and Retraining of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Tajikistan and Sushma Swaraj Institute of Foreign Service of India were also signed.

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