Jaishankar calls on Tajikistan President, discusses Afghanistan

Dushanbe/New Delhi, Sep 16 (UNI) External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Thursday called on Tajikistan President Emomali Rahmon during which they exchanged views on the recent developments in Afghanistan and their impact on regional security.
Jaishankar, who is in Dushanbe to participate in the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, said that India and Tajikistan are strong partners in fighting terrorism, fundamentalism and radicalism.
The EAM tweeted: “Thank Tajik President Emomali Rahmon for receiving me. Conveyed greetings of PM Modi.
“Exchanged views on recent developments in Afghanistan and their impact on regional security.
“India and Tajikistan are strong partners in fighting terrorism, fundamentalism and radicalism.”
He also met Tajikistan Foreign Minister Sirojiddin Muhriddin and had a good discussion with him, and looked forward to continuing it on Friday.
“A good discussion on arrival with Tajik FM Sirojiddin Muhriddin.
“Look forward to continuing it tomorrow,” he posted.
Tajikistan has been vocal in its opposition to the Taliban regime in Afghanistan and President Rahmon said last month that Tajiks should play a major role in the future government in Kabul as they make up more than 46 percent of Afghanistan’s population.
Rahmon has also said that Tajikistan will not recognize any government to be formed in Kabul through oppression.
Earlier this month, in an open gesture of support to the Afghan resistance movement in Panjshir province, Tajikistan bestowed its highest honour posthumously on legendary Afghan leader Ahmad Shah Massoud, whose son is leading the fight against the Taliban in Panjshir.
Ethnic Tajiks are believed to be the second-largest ethnic group in Afghanistan, after the Pashtuns, and Ahmed Massoud, who is leading the resistance force in Panjshir in northeastern Afghanistan, is said to be a Tajik.