Dushanbe, Tajikistan September 11, 2026: India – Tajikistan Expedition was flagged off by Hon’ble  Rajesh Uike, ambassador of India to Tajikistan in the esteemed presence of Ms Zulfiya Burhon, Secretary General of UNESCO for Tajikistan, Head of UNESCO Division of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Tajikistan. Prof Usmonzoda, Director, Centre for Strategic Research under the President of the Republic of Tajikistan, distinguished Indologists, academicians and press persons at the Ismoil Somoni Square in Dushanbe city on Thursday Sept 10, 2026. Tajikistan celebrated 35th anniversary of its independence on Sept 09, 2026. Amb Rajesh and other dignitaries present on the occasion appreciated a timely initiative aimed at enhancing people to people relations between the two countries. Tajikistan ambassador to India, Lukmon Bobobkalonzoda also conveyed his best wishes to the expedition team.

The expedition is conducted by the MERI Centre for International Studies (CIS) and lead by Prof (Dr) Ramakant Dwivedi, Head MERI CIS and Director of India-Central Asia Foundation (ICAF). Prof Lalit Aggarwal, Vice-President, MERI Group of Institutions and Mr Luv Aggarwal are member of the expedition. MERI Centre for International Studies (CIS) is a part of MERI Group of Institutions, New Delhi. It is an initiative to advance the common interest between India and the international community.

MERI Centre for International Studies is organising the road/ driving Expedition through Tajikistan during September 7 – 21, 2026.

Objective of the MERI  Expedition – 2026

The main objectives of the said Expedition are promotion of people-to-people contacts between India and Tajikistan, Assessment of the importance of the transport corridors in today’s context, A study of the current interests of India in Tajikistan and those of Tajikistan in India along with promotion of activities for their realisation; improvement of awareness in Tajikistan of current economic, political and industrial capacities in India and support initiatives to expand bilateral programs and Ways and means to enhance bilateral/multilateral trade and commerce.

MERI Centre for International Studies is doing overall organisation and management; liaison with concerned Ministries/Embassies;

Route of the Expedition

The route of the expedition is : Dushanbe – Bukhtar (Ajina teppe) – Kulob – Darvoz – Khorog – Iskashim – Khorog – Qalai Khunmb – Danghra – Nurek – Iskanderkul Lake – Panjikent – Khojent – Dushanbe.

MERI Group of Institutions serves as a center of excellence in providing education in the field of Management, Engineering, Journalism, Law, International relations, Economics, Commerce and other professional areas. The Group is, having its Corporate Office in New Delhi, India.