India-Central Asia Summit | First India-Central Asia Summit Held Virtually

This first India-Central Asia coincided with the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between India and Central Asian countries.

Table of Contents

India-Central Asia Summit– Relevance for UPSC Exam

GS Paper 2: International Relations- Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests.

3rd India-Central Asia Dialogue: Afghanistan Meet

India-Central Asia Summit- Context

Recently, first India-Central Asia Summit was hosted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi with the Presidents of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan.
This first India-Central Asia coincided with the 30^thanniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between India and Central Asian countries.
A comprehensive Joint Declaration was adopted by the leaders that enumerate their common vision for an enduring and comprehensive India-Central Asia partnership.

First India-Central Asia Virtual Summit- Key Points

About: India-Central Asia Summit was held virtually between India and Central Asian Countries.
Institutionalization of India-Central Asia Summit: India and central Asian Countries agreed to institutionalize the Summit mechanism by deciding to hold India-Central Asia Summit every 2 years.
- They 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.
India-Central Asia Secretariat: At First India-Central Asia Virtual Summit, it was decided to set up an India-Central Asia Secretariat in New Delhi to support the new India-Central Asia Summit mechanism.
Cooperation in Other Areas: At the first India-Central Asia Virtual Summit, the leaders discussed proposals to further cooperation in areas of trade and connectivity, development cooperation, defence and security and, cultural and people-to-people contacts. These include-
- 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,
- Commissioning of an India-Central Asia dictionary of common words,
- Joint counter-terrorism exercises,
- Visit of 100 members youth delegation annually from Central Asian countries to India and
- Special courses for Central Asian diplomats.
Discussion on Afghanistan Situation: The leaders reiterated their strong support for a peaceful, secure and stable Afghanistan with a truly representative and inclusive government.
- Prime Minister conveyed India’s continued commitment to providing humanitarian assistance to the Afghan people.