George on ‘help Tajikistan’ mission

‘‘They have sought our assistance in training their personnel, repairing their military hardware which is basically of erstwhile Soviet origin and also teach them (military and civilians alike) the English language. Fernandes will also gift them computers and other Information Technology aids,’’ an MoD official said. The visit has no major military objective and it is only part of India’s attempt at increasing its influence in the Central Asian region, he added.

Fernandes will meet Tajik President Emomali Rakhmonov, Prime Minister Akil Akipov apart from Defence Minister Colonel General S. Khaivolev, his host. It was on the invitation of the Tajik Defence Minister that Fernandes embarked on the journey to Dushanbe.

The Defence Minister is accompanied by Defence Secretary Yogendra Narain and a high-level delegation comprising officials of the MoD, Army and Air headquarters.

Tajikistan has a Higher Army Officers and Engineers College at Dushanbe. After studying their training pattern, the Military Training Directorate will chalk out a plan to train their personnel. ‘‘Tajikistan’s Defence Minister visited Fernandes in December last year and this visit is a reciprocation,’’ an MoD spokesman said.

‘‘Their armed forces are small compared to ours but both use similar equipment of Soviet origin like T-72 tanks and BMP-II infantry combat vehicles. Both countries will make joint efforts to counter terrorism and combat drug trafficking,’’ an MoD official said.

‘‘When Tajikistan was hit by a severe drought, India had offered $5 million assistance with which Dushanbe could buy Indian goods and services worth the amount. Bilateral relations between the two countries were given a new meaning after Tajikistan President Emomali Rakhmonov visited New Delhi in May last and Fernandes’ visit is meant to further cement the bond, the official added.