Chabahar will provide us shortest route to seaport: Tajik envoy Rahimzoda Sulton

Tajik envoy Rahimzoda Sulton in Delhi, speaking exclusively to Zee Media, lauded the Chabahar project and said it will provide them with the shortest route to a seaport. He also spoke on Afghanistan, with which the landlocked central country shares a long border and India-Tajik ties. Excerpts. 

Today you mark your Independence day...

On 9th of September Tajikistan celebrates its Independence day and this morning the honourable President of the Republic of Tajikistan his Excellency Emomali Rahmon has launched the second unit of the Rogun hydropower plant, which will be the biggest hydropower station in Central Asia. We are very happy with this good news.

How do see ties between India and Tajikistan?

India and Tajikistan have deep historical and cultural ties. Our bilateral relations have been built based on mutually beneficial cooperation. Our collaboration is increasing year by year. There have been high-level visits. We are happy to have collaboration with India and we think there is a big potential for future collaboration. 

How can India help Tajik achieve its growth goals?

India has achieved many big developments. It is one of the biggest economies in the world. We have a lot of untapped potentials and are interested in investment from India. We are using concessional loans announced by Indian President Kovind during his visit to the country last year. We have a big resource for hydropower.

How do you see India’s Chabahar project?

Tajikistan like other Central Asian countries is landlocked, so we don’t have access to seas and seaports. Chabahar project is a good opportunity and it provides an opportunity for Tajikistan to increase its exports and imports potential. It will be the shortest route to the seaport, we welcome this initiative by India and currently, we are working and understanding the different aspects of the project. It will also help in bilateral cooperation with India. 

You are a close neighbour of Afghanistan, how do you see developments there?

Tajikstan has the longest border with Afghanistan. Its length is more than 1300 km, and Tajikistan is interested in having a peaceful and stable Afghanistan. We welcome the initiative of the government and the people of Afghanistan to work in this direction and to have a good collaboration with neighbouring countries. Having stable Afghanistan means it can help us provide transit to Chabahar that will help in the economic growth of our country.

Zee Media Newsroom