The India-Tajikistan Road Expedition, led by MERI CIS, explores trade, connectivity, cultural ties, education and new cooperation opportunities across Tajikistan
Dushanbe, Tajikistan: The India-Tajikistan Road Expedition has been flagged off in Dushanbe as part of an initiative to strengthen bilateral relations and identify new opportunities for cooperation between the two countries.
Shri Rajesh Uike, Ambassador of India to Tajikistan, flagged off the expedition at Ismoil Somoni Square. The initiative aims to strengthen people-to-people relations while building a deeper understanding of India-Tajikistan economic, cultural and academic ties.
Ms Zulfiya Burhon, Secretary General of UNESCO for Tajikistan and Head of the UNESCO Division of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Tajikistan, and Prof. Usmonzoda, Director of the Centre for Strategic Research under the President of the Republic of Tajikistan, attended the ceremony. Indologists, academicians and media representatives also joined the event.
The participants welcomed the initiative and underlined its potential to strengthen institutional and people-to-people connections. Mr Lukmon Bobobkalonzoda, Ambassador of Tajikistan to India, conveyed his best wishes to the expedition team.
The expedition follows Tajikistan’s 35th anniversary of independence, which the country celebrated on September 9, 2026. The initiative aims to build on the longstanding historical, cultural, academic and economic links between India and Tajikistan.
MERI CIS Leads the Expedition
The MERI Centre for International Studies is leading the expedition under Prof. (Dr.) Ramakant Dwivedi, Head of MERI CIS and Director of the India-Central Asia Foundation.
Prof. Lalit Aggarwal, Vice-President of MERI Group of Institutions, and Mr Luv Aggarwal are also participating in the expedition.
The team will travel across Tajikistan from September 7 to September 21, combining road travel, field assessment and stakeholder interactions. The expedition will help participants study regional connectivity, economic opportunities and Tajikistan’s cultural heritage.
Connectivity and Trade Among Key Priorities
The expedition team will assess the importance of transport corridors in the region and examine the mutual interests of India and Tajikistan.
The team will also identify opportunities to strengthen bilateral and multilateral trade and commerce.
MERI CIS is coordinating the expedition and working with ministries, embassies and other relevant stakeholders.
Expedition to Cover Major Tajik Destinations
The planned route includes Dushanbe, Bukhtar (Ajina Teppe), Kulob, Darvoz, Khorog, Iskashim, Qalai Khunmb, Danghra, Nurek, Iskanderkul Lake, Panjikent and Khojent before concluding in Dushanbe.
The journey will provide first-hand exposure to Tajikistan’s geography, connectivity networks, cultural heritage and regional economic potential.
New Opportunities for India-Central Asia Cooperation
The India-Tajikistan Road Expedition will promote academic engagement, cultural understanding, field research and institutional dialogue as part of wider India-Central Asia engagement.
The initiative will explore opportunities across trade, connectivity, education, culture and people-to-people exchanges. MERI CIS aims to use the expedition to identify practical avenues for stronger cooperation and contribute to deeper India-Tajikistan relations.
