DUSHANBE, November 11, 2010, Asia-Plus  -- As an officer and high-ranking official of the Indian Armed Forces I express my condolences to families and friends of soldiers and officers of Tajik National Army that died in actions in Rasht, Indian Army Chief Vijay Kumar Singh stated in Dushanbe today after a meeting with Tajik President Emomali Rahmon.

Army chief of India noted that India was ready to expand cooperation with Tajikistan in countering international terrorism and extremism.

Asked about the possibility of use of the Ayni airfield in Tajikistan by Indian Air Force (this airfield was rehabilitated under financial and technical support of India), General V.K. Singh stressed that using or leasing this airfield to other countries was a prerogative of the Government of Tajikistan and “we do not plan to interfere in adoption of decision on that subject.” 

We will recall that Indian Army Chief V.K. Singh arrived in Dushanbe Tuesday on a working visit and he yesterday held talks with Tajik Defense Minister Sherali Khairulloyev and visited Tajik Military Institute, hospital and one of training grounds of Tajik Ministry of Defense