DUSHANBE, October 5, 2012, Asia-Plus  -- Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in Dushanbe yesterday evening for talks with President Emomali Rahmon.  He was met on arrival at Dushanbe International Airport by President Emomali Rahmon.

According to Tajik president’s press office, the two leaders are due today to discuss bilateral relations, including cultural, military-technical, trade and energy cooperation.

Tajikistan and the Russian Federation are expected to sign a number of cooperation documents, the source added.

Some local experts expect the fate of Russia’s military base in Tajikistan to dominate the talks.

We will recall that Russia''s lease on the base expires in 2014. Tajikistan and Russia have been negotiating the issue of the presence of Russia''s 201st Motorized Rifle Division for some time now.  Russia''a 201st Division and its approximately 7,500 troops use a total of three Tajik bases near Dushanbe and in the southern cities of Kulob and Qurghon Teppa.  It is the largest deployment of Russian troops abroad.