DUSHANBE, July 13, 2015, Asia-Plus -- Indian Prime Minister Narendra Damodardas Modi arrived in Tajikistan on a state visit yesterday evening.  

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Damodardas Modi is expected to hold talks with Tajik President Emomali Rahmon today to discuss state and prospects of further expansion of bilateral cooperation between Indi and Tajikistan.

While in Tajikistan, Prime Minister Modi is also expected to visit the India-Tajikistan Friendship Hospital, which is located in Khatlon province.  Set up by India, this 50-bed hospital was officially opened in early October last year.  According to Indian media outlets, he will gift medicines for the hospital.

Prime Minister Modi will also unveil Rabindranath Tagore''s statue in Dushanbe.

Indian prime minister is reportedly also expected to visit the Ayni airfield belonging to the Ministry of Defense of Tajikistan.

Tajikistan marks the last leg of Prime Minister Modi’s eight-day tour of the five Central Asian nations and Russia. 

Meanwhile, The Economic Times (India) cited Mr. Narendra Damodardas Modi as saying, “We have a strategic partnership with Tajikistan and have very strong defense cooperation as well.  However, our economic cooperation has been limited and the scope of growth is immense.  Bilateral trade has huge potential.”

"My visit will build on the existing strong diplomatic and defense ties and script a fresh chapter in our economic ties," he said, while looking forward to meeting President Emomali Rahmon.

“I am optimistic that the outcomes from this visit will be very positive and further deepen the strong bond between India and Tajikistan," Modi said. 

The last time an Indian Prime Minister visited Tajikistan was Atal Bihari Vajpayee in November 2003.