The August 17 “Asia-Plus Blitz” item titled “Indian PM expected to pay an official visit to Tajikistan in early September” should have said that Indian President Pratibha Patil is expected to pay an official visit to Tajikistan in early September.

Mr. Wilson Baboo, Second Secretary, Indian embassy in Dushanbe, noted that report about an official visit of Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to Tajikistan, released by Asia-Plus yesterday with reference to the Tajik MFA information department, does not correspond to the facts.

According to him, Indian President Pratibha Patil will pay an official visit to Tajikistan from September 6 to September 8 this year.

During her stay in Tajikistan, Ms. Pratibha Patil is scheduled to hold talks with highest state officials of Tajikistan to discuss state and prospects of further expansion of bilateral cooperation between India and Tajikistan.  The visit of Indian President to Tajikistan is expected to result in signing of a number cooperation documents.

The current President of the Republic of India, Ms. Pratibha Devisingh Patil, is the 12th person and first women to hold the office.  She was sworn in as President of India on July 25, 2007, succeeding Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam.