“I want to make it clear that Central Asia is central to India’s vision of an integrated and stable neighbourhood,”
- Narendra Modi, Prime Minister of India
On 27th January 2022, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi hosted the first India-Central Asia Summit virtually and it was attended by Presidents of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Republic of Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Republic of Uzbekistan. This first India-Central Asia coincided with the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between India and Central Asian countries. The leaders discussed the future framework for the strengthening of the relationship in political, economic as well as social sectors. The Leaders agreed to institutionalize the Summit mechanism by deciding to hold it every 2 years. They have also agreed on regular meetings of Foreign Ministers, Trade Ministers, Culture Ministers and Secretaries of the Security Council to prepare the groundwork for the Summit meetings. And to support and take this process forward an India-Central Asia Secretariat will be established in New Delhi. The leaders also discussed and proposed future cooperation in areas of trade and connectivity, development cooperation, defence and security and, in particular, on cultural and people to people contacts. Further, activities like a Round-Table on Energy and Connectivity, Joint Working Groups at senior official level on Afghanistan and use of Chabahar Port, showcasing of Buddhist exhibitions in Central Asian countries and commissioning of an India-Central Asia dictionary of common words, joint counter-terrorism exercises, visit of 100 member youth delegation annually from Central Asian countries to India and special courses for Central Asian diplomats were decided to be conducted in the coming months to enhance the relationship between the countries.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also discussed the situation in Afghanistan and how all the countries need to come and work together to build up a secure and stable country as only it is the way to build a safer region. He further declared that India will continue to help and provide assistance and humanitarian aid to the Afghan people. India as well as the other Central Asian countries also proposed the establishment of the India-Central Asia Centre and India-Central Asia Parliamentary Forum for better cooperation and coordination.
