India,Tajikistan agree to enhance mutual cooperation for sustainable water development

NEW DELHI: India and Tajikistan have reaffirmed their commitment to promote bilateral relations and agreed to enhance economic cooperation, particularly in sustainable water development.nnNitin Gadkari,the Union Minister for Water Resources, River Development & Ganga Rejuvenation, Road Transport & Highways and Shipping, currently on a two-day official visit to the central Asian republic, held wide-ranging talks with  Sirodjidin Muhridin, Foreign Minister of Tajikistan in Dushanbe yesterday.nnThe two leadersunderlined the need to give further impetus to the ongoing bilateral cooperation in various fields and agreed to enhancemutual cooperation in the area of sustainable water development.nnGadkari also conveyedto the Tajikistan leader, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s commitment towards expanding economic cooperation between the two countries, and said that potential for trade in commodities like sugar and milk powder may be explored.nnHe gave him an update on the progress of Chabahar Port which India is helping to develop in Iran and said that New Delhi would be willing to share with Tajikistan, Indian expertise in building quality infrastructure.nnMuhridin said India was one of Tajikistan?s reliable political and strategic partners and wouldalso like to expand its economic tieswith New Delhi.nnGadkari is in Dushanbe to represent India at the high level global conference on ?International Decade for Action: Water for Sustainable Development?.