Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with the Foreign Ministers of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan on Friday evening in New Delhi, where they briefed him on the outcomes of the 4th India-Central Asia Dialogue held earlier in the day.
During the meeting, PM Modi reaffirmed that strengthening relations with Central Asian nations remains a key priority for India.
He stressed building on historic people-to-people ties to expand economic connectivity, defence cooperation, and collaboration in emerging sectors such as fintech and healthcare.
Calling the India-Central Asia partnership a ‘force multiplier’, PM Modi underscored its strategic importance in confronting shared regional and global challenges.
He emphasised the importance of collective action against terrorism and cross-border threats.
According to a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office, the Central Asian Foreign Ministers condemned the April 22 terrorist attack in Pahalgam, which killed 26 civilians.
They expressed solidarity with India in the fight against terrorism.
Prime Minister Modi extended an invitation to the heads of state of all five Central Asian countries to attend the upcoming Second India-Central Asia Summit, to be hosted in India.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar held bilateral meetings with the visiting ministers — Bakhtiyor Saidov (Uzbekistan), Rashid Meredov (Turkmenistan), Zheenbek Kulubaev (Kyrgyzstan), Sirojiddin Muhriddin (Tajikistan), and Murat Nurtleu (Kazakhstan).
The talks focused on regional security, trade, energy cooperation, and counter-terrorism.
Launched in Samarkand in January 2019, the India-Central Asia Dialogue has, however, evolved into a key forum for strategic engagement.
The second edition, held virtually in 2020, addressed counter-terrorism and infrastructure.
The third meeting in December 2021, also in New Delhi, emphasised boosting connectivity and trade.
Taking to X, PM Modi posted, “Delighted to meet with the Foreign Ministers of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan. India deeply cherishes its historical ties with the countries of Central Asia. Look forward to working together to further deepen our cooperation in trade, connectivity, energy, fintech, food security and health for mutual progress and prosperity. We stand firm and resolute in our collective fight against terrorism.”
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