Question : India-Central Asia Summit

(a) whether the Government hosted the first India-Central Asia Summit to extend engagement with neighborhood countries recently;

(b) if so, the details thereof and the names of the countries which attended the said summit;

(c) the issues discussed with the leaders of Central Asian countries in the summit;

(d) whether the Government has any proposal to include more countries as part of its “extended neighborhood” diplomacy; and

(e) if so, the details thereof and the names of the countries likely to be included by the Government in the said policy, country-wise along with the benefits likely to accrue to the country in terms of trade, defence and international perspective?

THE MINISTER OF EXTENRAL AFFAIRS
(DR. SUBRAHMANYAM JAISHANKAR)

(a) to (e) The statement is laid on the table of the House.

STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (A) to (E) OF LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. *143 REGARDING “INDIA-CENTRAL ASIA SUMMIT” TO BE ANSWERED ON 11.02.2022.

(a) to (c) The first India-Central Asia Summit was hosted by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi in virtual format on 27 January 2022. The Summit was attended by the Leaders of 5 Central Asian countries - the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan H.E. Mr. Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, the President of the Kyrgyz Republic H.E. Mr. Sadyr Japarov, the President of the Republic of Tajikistan H.E. Mr. Emomali Rahmon, the President of Turkmenistan H.E. Mr. Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov and the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan H.E. Mr. Shavkat Mirziyoyev. This was the first of its kind Summit between India and the Central Asian countries that coincided with the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between India and the Central Asian countries.

The theme of the Summit was ‘Taking India-Central Asia relations to new heights’. Discussions between the leaders focused on further strengthening of relations between India and the Central Asian countries in the spheres of political, trade and connectivity, development cooperation, defence, security, culture and people to people contacts. There was a strong convergence of views on combating terrorism, extremism, radicalization and drug trafficking in the region. There was also a broad regional consensus on Afghanistan.

A major outcome of the Summit was the institutionalization of the Summit mechanism comprising leaders level meetings every 2 years and regular meetings of the Ministers of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Culture, and Secretaries of the Security Council. A number of joint mechanisms, initiatives and activities were announced including the proposal to create a joint Parliamentary Forum and issuance of joint postal stamps to mark the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations.

(d) & (e) The contours of Government of India’s ‘Extended Neighbourhood’ policy includes development of strong and multi-faceted relations with countries in Central Asia, Gulf, West Asia and the Indo-Pacific region. There is greater emphasis on enhancement of economic, security and defence relations with the countries in the extended neighbourhood for mutual benefit.

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