Dushanbe: Underlining its strategic interests in Central Asia, India today (November 14) set up a Joint Working Group with Tajikistan to combat international terrorism with the two countries deciding to intensify their Defence co-operation and to build a highway linking them through Afghanistan and Chabhar port in Iran with the sea link completing it.

A Treaty of Extradition was among eight documents signed between India and its closest neighbour in Central Asia at the conclusion of talks between Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Tajikistan President E S Rakhmanov, who hailed these decisions as the "opening of a new page in the ancient bilateral ties".

A Joint Declaration on Friendship and Co-operation signed by Vajpayee, the first Indian Prime Minister to visit Tajikistan since it broke away from the erstwhile Soviet Union 12 years ago, and Rakhmanov, condemned "supporters of terrorism and those that finance, train or provide support for terrorists".

PTI