Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh is set to embark on a two-day official visit to Tajikistan on June 12-13, 2026. The visit aims to participate in the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Conference titled 'Central Asia - The Core of SCO: A Space of Peace and Joint Development.' This conference is hosted by Tajikistan, which currently chairs the SCO Heads of Government Council, as announced by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).
Conference Theme and India's Priorities
The theme of the conference aligns seamlessly with India's SCO priorities, which emphasize youth, culture, and civilization. India views Central Asia as its extended neighborhood and a crucial partner in advancing regional connectivity, security, and prosperity. The participation underscores India's commitment to fostering multilateral cooperation within the SCO framework.
Bilateral Meetings and Diplomacy
During the conference, Minister of State Singh is scheduled to hold bilateral meetings with counterparts from other member states. These interactions are expected to strengthen diplomatic ties and explore avenues for enhanced collaboration on regional issues.
Recent India-Tajikistan Engagements
The visit follows the 5th Round of Foreign Office Consultations held on April 2 in Dushanbe, Tajikistan. The consultations were co-chaired by Ambassador Sibi George, Secretary (West) from the Indian side, and Idibek Kalandar, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs from Tajikistan. According to an official MEA statement, the talks comprehensively reviewed bilateral cooperation in political, defense, security, trade and economy, culture, education, and consular matters. Both sides also discussed cooperation within multilateral frameworks and exchanged views on regional and global issues of mutual interest.
High-Level Meetings and Community Outreach
During the April consultations, Secretary (West) called on Sirojiddin Muhriddin, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Tajikistan. The two sides discussed ways to further strengthen the mutually beneficial partnership and broaden the scope of bilateral engagement. Additionally, Secretary (West) interacted with the Indian community and Friends of India in Dushanbe, appreciating their contributions to strengthening India-Tajikistan relations.
Cultural and Educational Initiatives
On the occasion of the April consultations, three India Corners were inaugurated at key educational institutions in Tajikistan: the Tajik State Pedagogical University named after Sadriddin Ayni in Dushanbe, the Institute of Economy and Trade of the Tajik State University of Commerce in Khujand, and the Professional Technical Innovation Lyceum in Kulob. These initiatives aim to promote cultural exchange and educational cooperation between the two countries.
India's continued engagement with Tajikistan reflects its strategic interest in Central Asia as a region of vital importance for connectivity, security, and economic development. The upcoming SCO conference provides a platform for furthering these objectives through multilateral dialogue and bilateral discussions.
