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We are upgrading airstrip: PM

Dushanbe, November 14
Dispelling reports that India was setting up a military base in Tajikistan, Prime Minister Vajpayee and Tajik President Emamoli Rakhmanov today said the facility was intended as an alternate airport for the Tajik capital.

“The whole international community knows about the Ayni airstrip, (10 km away from Dushanbe),’’ the Tajik President said at a joint Press interaction with the Indian Prime Minister following signing of several agreements and a joint declaration between the two countries.

‘’We asked several nations, including Russia, for assistance in this regard, but no one seemed interested,’’ Mr Rakhmanov said, adding that India was the only nation which responded positively for renovating the airstrip, damaged in the Tajik civil war.

India and Tajikistan were cooperating in defence matters, and many Tajik defence personnel, including pilots, were training at Indian defence establishments, he said.

Prime Minister Vajpayee said his government had taken a decision that the airstrip that was already there, would be upgraded and India would cooperate in the project.

Earlier today, a spokesman of the Tajikistan Defence Ministry, Lieut-Colonel Zarubiddin Sirojev, said the defence cooperation between India and Tajikistan only included exchange of information and experience with New Delhi, providing technical assistance for training of Tajik defence forces. — UNI

PM reaches Damascus

Damascus, November 14
Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee arrived here tonight on a politically significant visit for talks with leaders of Syria on the volatile situation in neighbouring Iraq and a host of other issues of mutual concern.

Vajpayee is accompanied by External Affairs Minister Yashwant Sinha, Principal Secretary Brajesh Mishra and Secretary in MEA, R.M. Abhyankar. — PTI