Combating terrorism an important area of cooperative engagement with Tajikistan: PM

New Delhi [India], Dec. 17 (ANI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi said Saturday that combating terrorism is an important area of cooperative engagement between India and Tajikistan as both nations continue to face multiple security challenges and threats in this regard. In a statement issued after Tajikistan President Emomali's state visit, the Prime Minister said, "President Rahmon and I had fruitful discussions earlier today. We assessed the broad progress achieved under different pillars of our bilateral engagement, including our partnership in defence and security." The statement said that India and Tajikistan live in an extended neighbourhood that continues to face multiple security challenges and threats. It casts a long shadow of violence and instability over the entire region. The Prime Minister appreciated Tajikistan's role in the Central Asian region as a mainstay against forces of extremism, radicalism, and terrorism. Highlighting, the mutually agreed priorities to strengthen action to combat terrorism, the Prime Minister said, "We will do this on multiple levels." Through reinforcing overall bilateral security cooperation; through greater training, capacity building and information exchanges; through active coordination in regional and multilateral contexts. The statement added that India's membership of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization will be a valuable platform to work closely on regional security and counter-terrorism efforts with Tajikistan. "We agreed that peace, stability and prosperity in Afghanistan are important for the region. India and Tajikistan are joined in our steadfast support of the Afghan people and their aspirations for a peaceful and prosperous nation," said the statement. (ANI)