External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar on Friday appreciated the support shown by Central Asian countries in the aftermath of the heinous terrorist attack in Pahalgam, which occurred on April 22. Speaking during the 4th India-Central Asia Dialogue in New Delhi, he thanked these nations for standing in solidarity with India.
“I appreciate that your countries stood by India and condemned the heinous terrorist attack that took place in Pahalgam,” Jaishankar said in his opening remarks.
The dialogue was attended by senior representatives, including Kazakhstan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Murat Nurtleu, Tajikistan Foreign Minister Sirojiddin Muhriddin, Turkmenistan Foreign Minister Rashid Meredov, Kyrgyzstan Foreign Minister Zheenbek Kulubaev, and Uzbekistan Foreign Minister Bakhtiyor Saidov.
Highlighting India’s historic ties with the region, EAM Jaishankar said, “India deeply cherishes its millennia-old civilisational and cultural ties with Central Asia. These age-old bonds, forged through trade and people-to-people connections, have evolved into a partnership based on shared opportunities and common challenges.”
He emphasized that India’s engagement with Central Asia saw a significant boost following Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visits to all five Central Asian nations in 2015.
“In 2022, we marked three decades of our modern diplomatic ties with Central Asia. We’ve created a solid legal and institutional framework that supports our cooperation,” he added.
He noted India’s role as a trusted development partner, citing growth in trade, economic, and investment cooperation over the last decade. He also highlighted the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) training, ICCR scholarships, and High Impact Community Development projects funded by Indian grants.
EAM Jaishankar spoke about the India Central Asia Business Council meeting held a day earlier, which focused on enhancing collaboration in digital technology, fintech, and inter-bank relations, further strengthening the economic partnership.
“Both India and our Central Asian partners are committed to advancing mutually beneficial cooperation across all sectors, particularly in trade, defence, regional connectivity, education, and emerging technologies,” he said.
The India-Central Asia Dialogue, initiated in January 2019 in Samarkand, has emerged as a key diplomatic platform. The second edition was held virtually in 2020, focusing on security and infrastructure, while the third, in 2021, emphasized connectivity.
The 4th edition marks another milestone in India’s expanding strategic and economic ties with Central Asia, reaffirming joint efforts toward peace, prosperity, and regional stability.
