Everything you need to know about Tajikistan: news, reviews, in-depth analysis, opinion and more
Tajikistan: Central Asian Country and Former Soviet Republic
Tajikistan was part of ancient Persian Achaemenid Empire between 6th to 4th centuries B.C. Later on Alexander the Great took over Achaemenid Empire in the 4th century B.C. and made it a part of the Greco-Bactrian kingdom. Russia took control over Tajikistan in 1880-90 to exploit its vast natural reserves, taking advantage of the administrative and political enmities among the Tajiks. In 1924 Tajikistan became an autonomous republic within Uzbekistan and in 1929 it became a constituent republic of the USSR. In 1991 Tajikistan parliament declared its secession from Soviet rule following in the footsteps of other Soviet states.
Tajikistan Profile: Overview of Facts and Figures
Geographical Information on Tajikistan:
Tajikistan is a mountainous landlocked country located in Central Asia. It is bordered by Afghanistan from the south, Uzbekistan from the west, Kyrgyzstan from the north and China from the east.
Tajikistan's climate is continental, subtropical, and semiarid with some desert areas. The climate changes drastically according to elevation and altitude.
Culture, Cuisine and Tradition of Tajikistan:
The Culture of Tajikistan has developed over a period of thousand years. Tajiks and Persians inhabiting the country share Iranian ethnic backgrounds. Music and dance play a significant role in Tajik culture. Tajik culture can be divided into two areas, Metropolitan and Kuhiston. The followings and practices of Sunni Muslim sect are commonly practiced and cherished.
Economy of Tajikistan:
Tajikistan's economy is highly dependent on agriculture and livestock. Tajikistan's produces some of the best varieties of cotton, wheat, barley, fruit, vegetables, and silk. The economy of Tajikistan collapsed after the end of Soviet rule and witnessed nearly a decade of civil strife in the 1990s. Despite of huge reserves of silver, gold, uranium, tungsten, zinc, lead, coal, antimony, salt, and mercury the economy is not gaining enough pace due to lack of infrastructure and capital. The government initiated several reforms to end the wide spread corruption and has taken initiatives to open up the country’s economy.
Tourist Attractions of Tajikistan:
The center of attraction in Tajikistan is the Pamir mountain range that is known as the roof of the world. It is famous for adventure sports like trekking, hiking and its natural beauty remains the center of attraction for the tourists.
Dushanbe: is the capital city of Tajikistan and famous for its mosques, a Russian church and a opera house. The other attraction of this vibrant city is Monday market famous for its colourful display of traditional handicrafts.
Garm: is another most popular tourist destinations in Tajikistan. It is well known for its hot mineral water spring.
Major Sight-seeing Places in Tajikistan include:
Islamabad, May. 1 (ANI): A US government-appointed panel has urged Washington to step up pressure on Pakistan over religious freedom, warning that risks to its minorities have reached a crisis level.
Washington, May 1 (IANS) A US federal advisory body has reiterated its concerns about Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi's admissibility to the US due to his alleged "complicity in the 2002 riots" in the state.
Ajman, April 29 (IANS/WAM) Ajman, a UAE emirate, has held talks with Tajikistan over the existing bilateral relations and ways to enhance them between the two friendly countries.
Almaty (Kazakhstan), April 26 (IANS) India said Friday it wants to see Afghanistan as a "possible driver of economic growth in the region" and warned that the "greatest challenge" posed to Afghanistan is the "persistent threat of terrorism that emanates from beyond its borders", a clear reference to the Taliban and other extremists operating from Pakistan.
New Delhi, April 23 (IANS) External Affairs Minister will travel to Almaty, Kazakhstan, to participate in the April 26 Heart of Asia ministerial conference on the Istanbul Process on regional security and cooperation for a secure and stable Afghanistan, an official said Tuesday.
Moscow, April 23 (IANS/RIA Novosti) Russian hammer thrower Alisher Eshbekov has been banned for two years after testing positive for an anabolic steroid notoriously used in East German doping, the All-Russian Athletics Federation said.
Dubai, April 23 (IANS/WAM) Flydubai, Dubai's innovative low-cost airline, has made its maiden flight to Juba, capital of South Sudan.
Dushanbe, Apr 17 (ANI): Vice President Mohammad Hamid Ansari has said that the Government of India has decided to collaborate with the Tajik Technical University to create a center of IT excellence with a super computer.
Nurek, Khatlon (Tajikistan), Apr 17 (ANI): Vice President Mohammad Hamid Ansari visited Nurek Dam, regarded as the tallest in the world, in the course of his four-day goodwill visit to Tajikistan on Tuesday.
Shymkent (Kazakhstan), April 16 (IANS) Indian colts made a resounding start to their campaign at the ASBC Asian Confederation Junior Boxing Championships here in Kazakhstan.
Dushanbe (Tajikistan), April 15 (IANS) India and Tajikistan Monday discussed the situation in Afghanistan where international forces are set for a drawdown next year, and agreed that the global community should strengthen Afghanistan's capacity to maintain peace, stability and prosperity of its people.
Dushanbe, Apr. 15 (ANI): Vice President Mohammad Hamid Ansari on Monday said he had emphasized India's commitment to the strategic partnership between New Delhi and Dushanbe, and discussed cooperation on security issues as well as in countering cross-border terrorism with Tajikistan President Emomali Rahmon.
Dushanbe (Tajikistan), Apr 15 (ANI): Vice President Mohammad Hamid Ansari, who is on a goodwill visit to Tajikistan, would discuss militancy stemming from Pakistan and Afghanistan and ways to boost bilateral trade with the resource-rich central Asian country.
Moscow, April 15 (IANS/RIA Novosti) Russia could introduce tighter passport regulations for citizens of former Soviet states crossing Russia's borders this year, Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin said.
Onboard special aircraft, April 14 (ANI): Stating that India enjoyed excellent bilateral and cultural relations with Tajikistan, Vice President Mohammad Hamid Ansari on Sunday said the issue of terrorism is a matter of deep concern to both countries.
New Delhi, Apr. 14 (ANI): Vice President Mohammad Hamid Ansari left today on a four-day official visit to Tajikistan.
Moscow, April 14 (IANS/RIA Novosti) Dozens of people were detained Saturday as some 200 nationalists gathered in the centre of the Russian capital, chanting "Russia for Russians" and Moscow for Muscovites", police said.
New Delhi, April 13 (IANS) Vice President Hamid Ansari is to pay a four-day official visit to Tajikistan from Sunday, the first by an Indian vice president to the Central Asian country with which India shares close strategic ties.
New Delhi, Apr. 13 (ANI): Vice President Mohammad Hamid Ansari will be paying a four-day official visit to Tajikistan beginning on Sunday.
New Delhi, April 12 (IANS) As many as 30 officials from 19 countries are attending a course on emerging poll challenges at the India International Institute of Democracy and Election Management (IIIDEM) of the Election Commission of India, officials said Friday.
New Delhi, Apr. 12 (ANI): India International Institute of Democracy and Election Management (IIIDEM) of Election Commission of India has commenced its second training course under Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) programme of Government of India.
Brussels, April 11 (IANS/RIA Novosti) As part of a NATO-Russia project in Afghanistan, Pakistan and Central Asia, counter-narcotics personnel training will be expanded within the next few years, NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen has said.
Washington, April 9 (IANS) Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), the Pakistani militant group that has waged a campaign of asymmetric warfare against Indian security forces in Kashmir for two decades, is now becoming global in its interests and priorities, a new US study warns.
Islamabad, April 4 (Xinhua-ANI): At least three people were injured when a 5.9-magnitude earthquake hit parts of northern Pakistan on Thursday morning, said local media.
Washington, Apr. 2 (ANI): Nearly 25 years after Soviet troops left Afghanistan in defeat, Russia may return to the country by establishing 'maintenance bases' for Russian-made military equipment after NATO winds down its operations there next year, defense ministry officials have confirmed.
Dushanbe, April 2 (IANS/RIA Novosti) The World Bank has approved a $14.85-million grant for Tajikistan to finance its environmental land management and rural livelihoods project, the international lender said Monday.
Dushanbe, March 30 (IANS/WAM) The United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Tajikistan have held talks over their bilateral relations and explored ways to enhance them.
Kabul, March 20 (Xinhua-ANI): A Taliban weapons facilitator was captured Tuesday in northern Afghanistan's province of Balkh, the coalition forces said on Wednesday.
Islamabad, March 20 (IANS) Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari will be visiting Ashgabat Wednesday at the invitation of Turkmen President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow, Xinhua reported.
Moscow, March 16 (IANS/RIA Novosti) A man who attempted to commit suicide by setting himself on fire at a Moscow supermarket said he was a migrant worker from Tajikistan, working at a construction site without being paid.
Islamabad, Mar. 8 (ANI): A Travel and Tourism Competitiveness report has ranked Pakistan at 112 out of 140 countries - an improvement by three ranking points, up from 125 in 2011 to 122 in 2013.
Moscow, Feb 23 (IANS/RIA Novosti) A series of random checks in the Russian Armed Forces has revealed a number of systemic shortcomings, General Staff chief Valery Gerasimov said.
Kolkata, Feb 14 (IANS) With an aim to rapidly increase trade with Eurasia, negotiations have started between India and Eurasian countries for a Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA), an official said Thursday.
Moscow, Feb 12 (IANS/RIA Novosti) A man has been charged with promoting terrorism and seven others were deported from among 300 people held in a police swoop in St. Petersburg.
Kiev, Feb 7 (IANS) Ukrainian authorities have detained a former prime minister of Tajikistan for his alleged role behind an assassination attempt on Tajik President Emomali Rakhmon, Xinhua reported Thursday.
Chandigarh, Jan 31 (IANS) Upgraded to an international crafts fair, the Surajkund Crafts Mela will be inaugurated by President Pranab Mukherjee Saturday (Feb 2) in Haryana's Faridabad district, adjoining New Delhi.
Tokyo, Jan. 28 (ANI): China, a witness to the conflict in Afghanistan, is stepping up its involvement in the country as U.S.-led forces are preparing to withdraw.
New Delhi, Jan 20 (IANS) India has stepped up vigilance at its borders to prevent the re-entry of polio from Pakistan as it aims to continue its two-year run free from the paralytic disease.
Dushanbe (Tajikistan), Jan 18 (IANS/RIA Novosti) An Afghan national has been held in Tajikistan carrying over 65 kg of drugs in four bags, according to the Tajikistan government.
Dushanbe, Jan 14 (IANS/RIA Novosti) Around six tonnes of drugs were seized in Tajikistan in 2012, a spokeswoman for the country's drug control agency said Monday.
Dushanbe, Dec 23 (IANS/RIA Novosti) Over 130 websites have been blocked in Tajikistan in connection with "technical repair work", the country's telecom agency said.
Moscow, Dec 20 (IANS/RIA Novosti) Russian President Vladimir Putin has proposed an action programme be worked out to minimise possible risks involved in the upcoming reduction of the international military presence in Afghanistan.
Dushanbe, Dec 7 (IANS/RIA Novosti) The European Union has called on Tajikistan to respect the independence of the internet amid concerns of a crackdown against freedom of expression.
Moscow, Dec 6 (IANS/RIA Novosti) Russian President Vladimir Putin has called on the members of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) to join Glonass, Russia's global positioning system.
Moscow, Dec 6 (IANS/RIA Novosti) Leaders of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), a loose association of post-Soviet nations, have reaffirmed their resolve to intensify their joint counter-terrorism training programmes, the Russian presidential spokesman said.
Bishkek, Dec 5 (IANS) India and Pakistan Wednesday expressed their willingness to become members of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO).
Islamabad, Nov 30 (IANS) Weeks after Pakistan freed 13 Afghan Taliban detainees to push peace process, Pakistan and Afghanistan agreed Friday on the release of more Taliban prisoners, facilitating contacts and urging the Taliban to renounce ties to Al Qaeda.
Islamabad, Nov 30 (IANS) Pakistan and Afghanistan will hold a conference of religious scholars in Kabul in January to seek their help in the Afghan peace process, officials said after Friday's ministerial talks here.
Moscow, Nov 21 (IANS/RIA Novosti) Authorities in Tajikistan have imposed restrictions on the maximum length of male facial hair.
Islamabad, Nov 13 (IANS) Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari Tuesday called upon regional countries to chalk out a joint strategy to deal with narcotics, Xinhua reported.
Moscow, Nov 12 (IANS/RIA Novosti) Moscow police have detained six suspected members of the banned Islamic Revival Party for recruiting volunteers, a police spokesman said Monday.
London, Nov. 5 (ANI): Britain has invaded all but 22 countries in the world in its long and colourful history, a new research has found.
Dushanbe, Nov 4 (IANS/RIA Novosti) The World Bank will give Tajikistan $38 million in two grants to plug budget gaps and help improve the tax system.
Islamabad, Oct. 29 (Xinhua-ANI): A mild earthquake measuring 5.3 at Richter scale hit parts of northern and northwestern Pakistan on Sunday evening, local meteorological office said.
Islamabad, Oct 29 (IANS) An earthquake measuring 5.2 on the Richter scale struck Pakistan Sunday but there was no damage or casualty.
Islamabad, Oct 28 (IANS) An earthquake measuring 5.3 on the Richter scale hit various parts of Pakistan Sunday, including most of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, northwestern tribal region, and Punjab, Geo News reported.
Tehran, Oct 20 (IANS) Iran's football coach Carlos Queiroz has said that the national team's goal is to qualify for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.
Moscow, Oct 6 (IANS/RIA Novosti) Law enforcement officers have found around 300 illegal migrants living in an apartment building in western Russia, the interior ministry said.
Moscow, Oct 6 (IANS/RIA Novosti) Russian and Central Asian military pilots are currently carrying out joint exercises to repel missile strikes over the region, a military spokesman said.
New Delhi, Oct 4 (IANS) Kazakhstan has large energy sources and is ready to help meet India's hunger for coal, oil and hydrocarbons, the country's envoy said here Thursday.
Islamabad, Sep 29 (IANS) The cancellation of Russian President Vladimir Putin's landmark visit to Pakistan has come as a shock, said a leading daily which warned that Islamabad would be making "a grave mistake if it omits Russia from its calculations."
Islamabad, Sep 27 (IANS) Pakistan said Thursday that a quadrilateral summit here Oct 2-3 also involving Russia, Tajikistan and Afghanistan has been postponed.
Islamabad, Sep 26 (IANS) The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is ready to provide facilities at its state of the art National Cricket Academy (NCA) to train and groom players of associate members of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC).
New Delhi, Sep 16 (IANS) When Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas came to India earlier this week, the three MoUs inked between the two countries went by largely unnoticed. But the agreements, especially one on cooperation in Information and Communications Technology (ICT), is where India scores high - and is sought after by many countries.
Bishkek, Sep 13 (IANS/RIA Novosti) Russia, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Kazakhstan will conduct joint air defence drills in October, the Kyrgyz defence ministry said Thursday.
New Delhi, Sep 3 (IANS) India and Tajikistan, an energy-rich Central Asian nation, Monday decided to upgrade their ties to a strategic partnership and agreed to intensify counter-terror cooperation and work closely to stabilise Afghanistan in view of the withdrawal of international troops from the violence-torn country.
New Delhi, Sep 3 (IANS) Describing Tajikistan President Emomali Rahmon as an "old friend of India", President Pranab Mukherjee a brain haemorrhagea brain haemorrhage said Monday India and the Central Asian nation can work together to combat the menace of terrorism and enhance bilateral cooperation in trade and industry, among other things.
New Delhi, Sep 3 (IANS) India and Tajikistan, the energy-rich Central Asian nation, Monday decided to upgrade their ties to the level of strategic partnership and signed four pacts in areas of education, health, sports and culture.
New Delhi, Sep 3 (ANI): The Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh, on Monday said India and Tajikistan have agreed to deepen the counter-terrorism cooperation, after the delegation-level talks during the state visit of President of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon.
New Delhi, Aug 31 (IANS) Signalling an upswing in its "Connect Central Asia policy", India is gearing up to roll out the red carpet for longtime Tajik leader Emomalii Rahmon Monday -- an important visit from a country which is critical to Afghanistan's stability and host to the only military facility New Delhi has overseas.
Moscow, Aug 29 (IANS/RIA Novosti) Three criminal cases have been launched against transport police officers suspected of extorting money from passengers at Moscow airports, an official said.
Moscow, Aug 27 (IANS) A court in Russia has sentenced a foreigner to six years in a high security prison for trafficking 14.5 kg of heroin in the country, RIA Novosti reported.
Ludhiana, Aug 27 (IANS) The Punjab Agricultural University (PAU) on Sep 4 will confer the degree of 'Doctor of Science' (honoris causa) on Tajikistan President Emomalii Rahmon, a senior university official said Monday.
Washington, Aug 17(ANI): A new research by the University of Cincinnati has examined the relative impact of militarization and corruption on civilian populations, revealing startling findings in the process.
Kabul, Aug.15 (ANI): In one of the bloodiest days in Afghanistan's history, suicide attackers, using a remotely-controlled bomb, killed over 50 people across Afghanistan on Wednesday.
London, Aug 13 (IANS) The following is the final medal table at the 2012 London Olympic Games which concluded here Sunday. India finished 55th.
London, Aug 12 (IANS) The following is the medals tally of the 2012 London Games here Saturday.
London, Aug 11 (IANS) The following is the medals tally of the 2012 London Games here Saturday.
London, Aug 9 (IANS) The latest meda's tally of the 2012 London Olympics here Thursday.
London, Aug 9 (IANS/RIA Novosti) Irish boxer Katie Taylor won Olympic gold Thursday, beating Russia's Sofia Ochigava 10-8 in a close final in the women's lightweight category here.
New Delhi, Aug 9 (IANS) India has taken part in a ministerial conference convened by Iran, Damascus' staunchest ally, that seeks to push an 'indigenous solution' to the Syrian crisis.
London, Aug 9 (IANS) The following is the latest medal standings of the 2012 London Games here Thursday.
London, Aug 8 (IANS/RIA Novosti) Boxer Mavzuna Chorieva became the first woman from Tajikistan to win an Olympic medal after she and Brazil's Adriana Araujo settled for the bronze in the 60kg category at the ExCel Arena here Wednesday.
Moscow, July 28 (IANS/RIA Novosti) At least 17 Tajik security officers have been killed during a special operation against a mafia-style group in eastern Tajikistan, an official said Saturday.
Dushanbe, July 24 (IANS) Twelve soldiers and 30 militants were killed in a clash Tuesday in Tajikistan, Xinhua reported.
Moscow, July 12 (IANS/RIA Novosti) Tajikistan wants Moscow to pay at least $250 million a year for the Russian military base deployed in the Central Asian state, Kommersant business daily reported Thursday, citing an unnamed Tajik source.
Washington, July 4 (ANI): Pakistan's conservation efforts have proved beneficial as the markhor, a majestic wild goat species, is making a remarkable comeback, the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) has announced.
Dushanbe, July 3 (ANI): External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna has described India's relationship with Tajikistan as excellent.
New Delhi, July 2 (IANS) Against the growing strategic importance of Eurasia and Central Asia, External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna Monday headed to Tajikistan on a two-day visit to expand diplomatic and strategic ties with the the strategically located country and region.
New Delhi, July 1 (ANI): External Affairs Minister S M Krishna will leave for Tajikistan on Monday on a two-day visit.
Moscow, June 27 (IANS/RIA Novosti) The Russian Post is among the world's worst postal services, outperformed even by counterparts in countries like Angola, Honduras and Mongolia, says a new study.
New Delhi, June 26 (IANS) Intensifying India's outreach in Central Asia, External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna will go to Tajikistan on a two-day visit next week and will also hold a meeting of the heads of Indian missions from countries in this strategic region.
New Delhi, June 10 (IANS) Stepping up its diplomatic footprints in energy-rich Central Asia, India is set to replicate the success of the Pan Africa e-network by creating a similar project of tele-education and tele-medicine that will span all the states of the strategically important region.
Beijing, June 8 (IANS) China has pledged a $10 billion loan to support economic development in the member countries of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO).
Beijing, June 7 (Xinhua-ANI): The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) concluded its Beijing summit on Thursday at the Great Hall of the People, with member states agreeing to further cooperation in a variety of fields.
Beijing, June 7 (Xinhua-ANI): Any attempts to resolve the Iranian issue by force are unacceptable, said the heads of state of the member states of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Thursday.
Beijing, June 7 (Xinhua-ANI): The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) concluded its Beijing summit on Thursday at the Great Hall of the People, with member states agreeing to further cooperation in a variety of fields.
Beijing, June 7 (Xinhua-ANI): Any attempts to resolve the Iranian issue by force are unacceptable, said the heads of state of the member states of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Thursday.
Beijing, June 7 (Xinhua-ANI): Leaders of the member states of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) said Thursday that they oppose armed intervention or forced "regime change" and disapprove of unilateral sanctions.
