Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad (L) meets with Tajikistan's President Emomali Rakhmon in Dushanbe on March 24, 2012. President Zardari is scheduled to attend a quadrilateral summit with the leaders of Tajikistan, Iran and Afghanistan to discuss the Afghan situation and economic cooperation. —AFP Photo

DUSHANBE: President Asif Ali Zardari arrived here Saturday on a three-day visit to this land-locked Central Asian country to attend Nauroz celebrations at the invitation of his Tajik counterpart Emomali Rahmon.

The president, who was accompanied by Interior Minister Rehman Malik and Senator Abbas Afridi, was received at Dushanbe airport by Prime Minister of Tajikistan Okil Okilov.

Pakistan’s Ambassador to Tajikistan Amjad B Sial and officials of the embassy were also present on the occasion.

President Zardari was given a salute by a smartly turned out contingent of Tajik armed forces as he alighted from his aircraft.

During the visit, President Zardari will also hold talks with Tajik President Emomali Rahmon to further bolster bilateral relations.

The two leaders are expected to discuss ways and means to further enhance bilateral, political, economic, defense and security relations.

They will also reflect upon the development of rail and road infrastructure and air connectivity between the two countries.

The president will also meet other leaders attending the Nauroz celebrations.

During the visit, President Zardari is also scheduled to attend a quadrilateral summit with the leaders of Tajikistan, Iran and Afghanistan to discuss the Afghan situation and economic cooperation.

Moreover, the president will also be attending the opening session of the fifth Regional Economic Cooperation Conference on Afghanistan (RECCA-V).

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