If anyone had doubts that Prime Minister A B Vajpayee’s visit to Tajikistan was relatively unimportant in relation to Russia and Syria, they were removed by the agreements signed by the two countries today and by the outspoken remarks made by host President Emomali Rakhmonov after the ceremony.There was a Treaty of Extradition which is significant in the light of the terrorism problem that plagues this region as much as India. An attendant agreement sought to provide mutual legal assistance in criminal matters. There was another to promote bilateral investment and yet another to establish a joint IT centre.The joint declaration made a pointed reference to ‘‘the steady progress in defence exchanges and the intent to to further intensify relations in this area.’’ This turned out to be the most important issue examined by the two leaders at today’s interaction with the media.While Vajpayee played it safe and said nothing unexpected, Rakhmonov responded in a manner that showed him up as a strong man of the region.The Indian Express had reported yesterday that India was helping build its first military air base in Tajikistan. (A Defence Ministry spokesman, replying to a detailed questionnaire from the newspaper had confirmed that India was upgrading the Ayni base and had plans to station troops there.)Interestingly, it was a Russian journalist who raised the question. Rakhmonov started by saying he realised from where the question was coming. He said every civilised country in the world had at least one spare airport. Tajikistan too had one, at Ayni, but it fell into disuse after the Soviet collapse and then was completely wrecked during the civil war.The President said Tajikistan had approached many countries including Russia and some international organisations for help in rebuilding the airport but all refused. Then they approached India and India offered a helping hand. He was even more delightfully outspoken on the ‘‘international community’’ vis a vis terrorism. Tajikistan had experienced terrorism from a long way back, he said. It had been protecting Russia and Europe from international drug traffickers and terrorists of all kinds for a long time. ‘‘Many other countries, including those in Central Asia had underestimated the threat of terrorism. It seems the international community needed September 11.’’Tajikistan is the poorest country in Central Asia but Rakhmonov seems to have ideas on getting out of that status. Especially with help from ‘‘our dear friend’’ India. Vajpayee announced a $40-million economic cooperation package for industrial and infrastructural projects.
