DUSHANBE, May 19, 2015, Asia-Plus -- On Monday May 18, Tajik Deputy Foreign Minister, Nizomiddin Zohidi, received a delegation of the National Defense College of India.

According to the Tajik MFA information department, Zohidi briefed Indian guests on bilateral cooperation between Tajikistan and India in the fields of commerce, energy, defense, and regional security.

He reportedly also underlined the significance of investment cooperation between the two countries and wide use of transit potential of Tajikistan and Afghanistan for providing sustainable development, peace and stability in the region.

Located in New Delhi, the National Defense College of India (NDC) is the highest seat of strategic learning for Indian Defense and Civil Services officers of the rank of Brigadier or Joint Secretary.  This is a very prestigious course attended only by a few hand-picked defense officers of Brigadier (one-star General) rank and from friendly foreign countries.  Each year, approximately 25 officers from countries like the USA, UK, Canada, France, Germany, Australia, Vietnam, Sri Lanka, Nepal, UAE and others reportedly attend the course.

NDC provides strategic leadership to the government of India in national and international security matters and also acts as a think tank on defense matters and holds a very important position in shaping up the Indian defense outlook.

NDC is headed by the commandant of the college who is the overall in-charge of all the functioning of the college including academics and administration.  Commandant of the college is a three-star general (Lt. General rank) and tenure of each commandant is for 2 years which rotates between the Army, the Navy and the Indian Air Force.

NDC was inaugurated on April 27, 1960 by Jawaharlal Nehru, the first prime minister o independent India.  NDC is a pioneering institute of its type in Asia.