External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar with Central Asian Foreign Ministers at the 4th India-Central Asia Dialogue in New Delhi. (Photo Source: X Account of Dr. S. Jaishankar)
YMAM Desk
June 6, 2025, New Delhi: India’s External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar on Friday said India cherishes its millennia-old cultural and civilizational ties with Central Asia, which have matured into a modern partnership shaped by shared aspirations, opportunities, and challenges.
Hosting the 4th India-Central Asia Dialogue in New Delhi, Dr. Jaishankar underscored the importance of regional cooperation.
The discussions focused on trade, connectivity, technology, and development partnerships, reflecting the growing strategic and economic convergence between India and Central Asian nations.
He highlighted that India marked three decades of diplomatic ties with Central Asia in 2022. Over the years, both sides have developed a robust legal and institutional framework to support mutually beneficial cooperation at bilateral and regional levels.
Recalling Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s 2015 visits to all five Central Asian capitals, Jaishankar said those engagements gave a major boost to ties.
The EAM added: Improved connectivity, direct flights, tourism, and growing educational exchanges have further strengthened the people-to-people relationship.
Dr. Jaishankar reiterated India’s role as a trusted development partner. He cited ITEC training, ICCR scholarships, and High Impact Community Development Projects—such as providing computers to schools and medical equipment to hospitals—as examples of India's ongoing support in the region.
The Minister also noted that the first India-Central Asia Virtual Summit in January 2022 elevated the partnership to the leaders’ level. Since then, exchanges among trade, culture, and security officials, along with youth delegations and diplomat training, have expanded cooperation.
India and the Central Asian countries, he said, remain committed to advancing ties across key sectors including defence, agro-processing, pharmaceuticals, textiles, education, culture, regional security, and emerging technologies, reflecting a broad and deepening strategic partnership.
Expressing gratitude, Dr. Jaishankar thanked the Central Asian nations for their strong condemnation of the recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam. He emphasized the shared commitment to peace, stability, and regional security.