We are returning to New Delhi at the completion of my State visits to Russia and Tajikistan. Our journeys to these friendly countries have been purposeful and productive, reflecting the deep rooted friendship we have with them.

When we left New Delhi, I had stated that we are visiting time tested friends. You too would have felt the warmth of hospitality and the affection that was displayed in the two countries.

My first State Visit to Russia was the second by an Indian President to that country. I visited both Moscow and St. Petersburg. I met President H.E. Mr. Dmitry Medvedev in the Kremlin in an atmosphere of trust and friendship, reflecting the Strategic Partnership between our two countries. We both acknowledged that the enduring relationship between India and Russian Federation has been marked by continuity, trust and mutual understanding. We reviewed ongoing bilateral cooperation in various fields and discussed ways and means to further diversifying and strengthening our engagement. We also exchanged views on regional and international issues of importance.

We noted with satisfaction the regular contacts between the political leadership of the two countries, particularly the practice of the Annual Summit meetings. My visit was thus a further consolidation of these contacts and a reiteration that links with Russia are special for India, which have strengthened across the twentieth into the twenty first century and across a generation.

On Wednesday 3rd September, we both attended the Gala Concert of Indian classical singing and folk and contemporary dances of India held under the auspices of the ongoing Year of India festival in Russia.

I also met Prime Minister H.E. Mr. Vladimir Putin. I conveyed to him that India really appreciated Russia's support in the economic, energy, defence and nuclear fields and that our relationship stood on its own, it had strong foundations and would not be affected by our relationship with other countries. He spoke in detail about the potential of co-operation, especially in energy.

The other leaders I met were the Chairman of the Federation Council and the Chairman of the State Duma. In St. Petersburg, I had meetings with President's Representative to the North-Western region and the Acting Governor of St. Petersburg. With these leaders too, my talks were invigorating and warm. Among the issues we discussed were the establishment of regular inter-Parliamentary exchanges and institutionalization of the mechanism of contacts between the executive and judicial bodies, and promoting co-operation across multiple fields. Our two countries are agreed that there is ample potential for expansion of cooperation in the fields of energy - including hydrocarbons and peaceful uses of nuclear energy, military technical cooperation, space and information technology.

The subject of bilateral trade came up on several occasions. We expressed satisfaction that the target of US$ 10 billion by 2010 appeared achievable despite the ongoing global financial crisis. We agreed that the existing level of bilateral economic cooperation was much below its potential given the size of our two economies.

I was also delighted to meet the teachers and students of the Embassy of India School in Moscow as well as the Russian school teaching Hindi in St. Petersburg on the eve of and on Teachers' Day itself respectively. I believe that teachers play a very important role in shaping the future of the nation and their contribution needs to be acknowledged and appreciated. I must say that these schools are doing very good work in imparting education and teaching children about Indian culture and values. The manner in which Russian students sang Indian songs and performed Indian classical dances was, indeed, extremely commendable. It is important that all efforts are made to develop linkages between the youth of our two countries, so that ties between India and the Russian Federation which are special, enduring and founded on civilizational and historical ties are carried forward.

Tajikistan remains an important partner for us in the Central Asian region which is our extended neighbourhood. While Tajikistan is a young nation, it is an old civilization and we have a number of common strands in our centuries old ties. My visit, the first ever by an Indian President to Tajikistan, has only renewed these age old ties. We were received with exceptional warmth. It was a historic moment when I got the opportunity to address the people of Tajikistan on their National Day and convey to them the greetings and best wishes of the people and Government of India for their progress and prosperity.

I had fruitful exchange of views on global and regional issues with President Rahmon, whom I have had the pleasure of hosting in Jaipur in August 2006. While reiterating our commitment to build on our close and cooperative relations, we have identified new areas for further diversifying our cooperation. I stated our commitment to assist Tajikistan in its efforts at nation building through sharing our experiences in human resource development, in agriculture, science and technology, Information Technology, health and education and in the areas of youth and sports. We both agreed on the need for establishing direct air links between New Delhi and Dushanbe. In response to an invitation extended, Tajikistan agreed to participate in the India International Garment Fair to be held in New Delhi in January 2010.

I understand that the trade delegation that traveled with me had fruitful discussions with their counterparts in Tajikistan and this is expected to lead to concrete outcomes. We would like to see a strong and vibrant trade and economic relationship, which reflects the close relations we share with Tajikistan in other spheres.

I visited Kuliob today to pay homage at the shrine of Sufi Saint Syed Hamadoni. He represents the ethos of tolerance and harmony that our two countries and societies are based on. Our visit there and the genuine manner in which we were greeted by both the old and young of Kuliob was a moving experience and an affirmation that the ancient ties continue to find resonance in our relationship, while contributing to the strengthening of our emotional bonds.

The Park dedicated to Mahatma Gandhi in Dushanbe illustrates the universal appeal of his principle of non-violence for maintaining peace in the world. I visited the Park and got the opportunity to thank the Government of Tajikistan for maintaining the park. I also saw the reclining Buddha at the Antiquities Museum yet another reminder of the common heritage of our two countries.

Russia and Tajikistan share the firm resolve of India to fight extremism and terrorism in the region. I thanked my interlocutors for their messages of support and condemnation of the Mumbai terrorist attacks. Our cooperation in this area will only grow in the months ahead.

Both in Russia and Tajikistan the desire of the leadership to build close and cooperative relations with India were clearly manifested. I was delighted to meet the members of the Indian community and friends of India in both countries, particularly the sizeable group of Indian students. We are proud of our diaspora's achievements. I was also impressed by the local students in both countries learning Hindi, Indian music and dance.

I had the pleasure of extending invitations to President Medvedev and President Rahmon to visit India. These invitations have been accepted and mutually convenient dates will be worked out through diplomatic channels. These visits would enable us to sustain the momentum of our ever increasing relations.

I return home satisfied with the visits and the outcomes. I also come back with the firm impression that there are many areas where there can be mutually beneficial co-operation. Given the immense possibilities, I am confident that existing sectors of co-operation would be strengthened further and new areas including energy needs, identified.

I express my deep gratitude to each one of you, members of the media, for accompanying me on my visit. I would like to say that you have been very good traveling companions and I hope you have enjoyed the visit as much as I have.

Thank you.