India and Tajikistan elevated their relationship to a strategic partnership last week following discussions between Tajik President Emomali Rahmon and Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in New Delhi. In an email interview, Meena Singh Roy, a research fellow at the Institute for Defense Studies and Analyses, discussed India-Tajikistan relations.
WPR: What is the recent trajectory of the India-Tajikistan relationship, and how does Tajikistan fit into India's broader engagement with Central Asia?
Meena Singh Roy: Tajikistan figures very high in India’s foreign policy priorities and remains a significant partner for India in Central Asia. India has excellent political and strategic relations with Tajikistan. However, economic and trade ties remain the most unsatisfactory part of an otherwise very fruitful relationship.