It should be recognized that over the past two decades, India's foreign policy and international role on the world stage has changed markedly. Therefore, we experts easily distinguish between "traditional India" and "India of the last ten years". The main factors that led to a noticeable progress in India's position were the development of its economy, technological advances and, finally, the recognition by other countries of the positive changes that have occurred in the state's foreign policy.
At present, scientific cooperation between Tajikistan and India is actively developing, both directly and within the framework of regional and international organizations, such as the SCO, the Association of Academies and Societies of Sciences in Asia and other influential organizations.
The authorities of the Academy attaches great importance to the improvement of existing and the creation of new effective mechanisms for scientific and humanitarian cooperation with scientific institutions in India.
On February 15, 1993 both sides stated their intention to establish a Tajik-Indian Intergovernmental Commission for Trade, Economic, Scientific and Technical Cooperation in accordance with the Joint Declaration on Means and Areas of Cooperation between the Republic of Tajikistan and the Republic of India.
In accordance with the Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan and the Government of the Republic of India on the Intergovernmental Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific and Technical Cooperation (December 12, 1995, Delhi), the first meeting of the commission was held in 2001 in New Delhi. Up to date, the Commission has held more than 12 meetings to discuss issues and ways to strengthen mutually beneficial cooperation. The possibility of establishing special working groups is also expected within the framework of this Commission.
To date, more than twenty legal acts have been signed between scientific institutions and organizations of our countries, which determine the priority areas of scientific and technical cooperation between the Republic of Tajikistan and the Republic of India.
We are aware that today the main trends in world development are the integration and expansion of scientific and technical ties. This explains the implementation of joint projects with the help of our Indian partners.
An important impulsion for the development and deepening of scientific cooperation between our friendly countries became the Agreement between the Government of Tajikistan and the Government of India on the Interstate Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific and Technical Cooperation 12.12.1995 (Delhi, India)
The following normative acts signed and ready for signing are a logical continuation of the close interaction between scientific institutions of the two countries:
- Memorandum of Understanding between the National Academy of Sciences of Tajikistan and the Indian Consul for World Affairs, 2006
- Protocol of cooperation between Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology of India and National academy of sciences of Tajikistan, signed in 2020
- Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Indian Council of Social Science Research (ICSSR) India and National Academy of Sciences of Tajikistan (ready to sign)
- Agreement on scientific cooperation between the National Academy of Sciences of Tajikistan and the Gandhi Institute of Technology and Management (ready to sign)
- Updated MOU between NAST and ICWA (ready to sign)
It has become a tradition to hold joint scientific conferences and seminars and round tables with the participation of scientists from the two countries (monthly and quarterly seminars are held on topical issues with the participation of Indian specialists, staff of the Embassy of India in the Republic of Tajikistan at the Institute of Asia and Europe of the National Academy of Sciences of Tajikistan), both online and offline. The exchange of scientists, students, scientific and technical literature, etc. has become more frequent.
Study of Indian citizens in universities of Tajikistan and internships, researchers and students of NAST in short-term and long-term courses within the framework of ITEC, ICCR, Study in India program and on the basis of existing agreements, also indicate that the leadership of the two countries attaches special importance to strengthening scientific cooperation between friendly republics.
Due to the powerful development of information technologies India occupies a special place in the modern world, therefore, cooperation between Tajikistan and India in this direction seems to be very promising.
Taking into account the state of scientific cooperation, as well as the existing scientific and technical potential of both countries in conducting scientific research, and the achievements of Tajik scientists in the field of seismology, geology, astrophysics and other branches of natural and technical sciences, we are ready to strengthen collaboration in these fields:
- GIS technologies, remote sensing, seismic assessment, earthquake prediction, green and alternative energy, astronomy and studies
- researches with the participation of Tajik and Indian scientists in the astronomical observatories of the National Academy of Science, which, are considered unique in the world due to their location in highly mountainous areas.
- organization of joint scientific expeditions
- on regular bases holding joint seminars and conferences
- promote the training of scholars and young researchers
- publication of scientific statements and literature
- reconstruction and mutual us of the "Shorbulok" observatory located in Pamir area of Tajikistan;
- cooperation in the field of humanities, on the following topics: mutual cooperation within framework of regional organizations and initiatives, situation in Afghanistan, researches on radicalism, extremism, terrorism issues, joint study of the history, archeology, ethnography and folklore of the two countries,
The relations between Tajikistan and India have not only historical roots that go back to centuries, but also has a modern solid foundation, as well as far-reaching prospects. In this context we see a wide field for multifaceted and mutually beneficial cooperation between our countries in the present and in the future.
It should be emphasized that the functioning of the Indian Cultural Center named after Rahul Sankritian and the name of the Central Scientific library of the National Academy of Science named after I. Gandhi testify to the high degree of scientific cooperation between the scientific institutions of Tajikistan and India.
MIRVAISOV MAMURDZHON,
Head of Department of International relations of
National Academy of sciences of Tajikistan,
senior researcher of the Institute of Asian and
European studies of NAST
