New Delhi: Ahead of the Fourth India-Central Asia Dialogue, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar today held bilateral meetings with his counterparts from the Central Asian nations.
He met with FM Sirojiddin Muhriddin of Tajikistan, Deputy PM and FM Murat Nurtleu of Kazakhstan, FM Zheenbek Kulubaev of Kyrgyz Republic and FM Rashid Meredov of Turkmenistan.
In posts on X, the EAM said of the bilateral meetings:
“A good meeting with FM Sirojiddin Muhriddin of Tajikistan.
“Agreed on the need to firmly counter terrorism in our region.
“Shared views on furthering our cooperation including deeper trade, investment and connectivity ties.”
On his meeting with his Kazakh counterpart, he posted:
“Pleased to meet DPM & FM Murat Nurtleu of Kazakhstan this morning.
“Appreciated his reaffirmation of zero tolerance for terrorism.
“Discussed various facets of our Strategic Partnership focusing on political, trade, investment and energy cooperation. Also spoke about widening connectivity with the Central Asia region.”
The two sides also signed a Program of Cooperation for strengthening India – Kazakhstan ties.
On his meeting with the Kyrgyz FM, he wrote:
“A productive meeting with FM Zheenbek Kulubaev of Kyrgyz Republic.
“Thanked him for their support and solidarity in countering terrorism.
“Discussed our cooperation in banking, education, energy, health, connectivity and capacity building.
“Today’s signing of Program of Cooperation is a step forward in deepening our bilateral ties”.
He also met with the FM of Turkmenistan:
“Delighted to meet FM Rashid Meredov of Turkmenistan.
“A warm exchange on deepening our cooperation, particularly in trade, investment, connectivity, health and energy sectors.
“Welcome his strong condemnation of terrorism in all its forms and manifestations.”
EAM Jaishankar will host the Foreign Ministers of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan for the 4th meeting of the India-Central Asia Dialogue in New Delhi on June 6.
The Third meeting of the Dialogue was hosted by India in New Delhi in December 2021.
India and Central Asia, in each other’s ‘Extended Neighbourhood’, enjoy close and cordial contemporary diplomatic relations underpinned by millennia old cultural and people-to-people exchanges.
The first India-Central Summit held virtually in January 2022 and the mechanism of India-Central Asia Dialogue, at the level of Foreign Ministers, have taken this relationship substantially forward, a statement said.
At the 4th Dialogue, on June 6, the Ministers will discuss further strengthening of relations between India and Central Asian countries with particular focus on trade, connectivity, technology, and development cooperation. They will also share perspectives on challenges to regional security and other regional and global issues of mutual interest.
The Foreign Ministers will also participate in the India-Central Asia Business Council meeting on June 5, by MEA in collaboration with FICCI.
The India-Central Asia Dialogue is a manifestation of mutual interest on the part of India and the Central Asian countries to forge even closer, wider and stronger partnership in a spirit of friendship, trust and mutual understanding.
UNI
