External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar today said, India and Central Asian countries share deep-rooted historical and civilizational ties with Afghanistan. He stressed that ways must be found to help the people of Afghanistan.
The Minister said this while delivering his opening remarks at the third India-Central Asia Dialogue in New Delhi. He listed concerns and objectives regarding Afghanistan, including, a truly inclusive and representative government, the fight against terrorism and drug trafficking, ensuring unhindered humanitarian assistance and preserving the rights of women, children and minorities.
Dr Jaishankar said, the platform is an opportunity to review both bilateral and regional relationships. He appreciated the support extended to India by the international community during the second wave of Covid-19, especially fron Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan.
He said, India has supplied vaccines to more than 90 countries including Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. The External Affairs Minister said, India has also offered COWIN platform to assist vaccination programmes to friendly countries.
Foreign Ministers of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan are attending the Dialogue which is being chaired by External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar.
Uzbekistan Foreign Minister Abdulaziz Kamilov said, the interaction platform launched in 2019 is progressively strengthening its role as an effective tool for promoting inter-regional cooperation in Central South Asia. He said, the framework has been designed to contribute to the preservation of peace and security in the two historically connected regions. On the situation in Afghanistan, Mr Kamilov said, a unified approach towards the country needs to be discussed.
Tajikistan Foreign Minister Sirojiddin Muhriddin said, India is one of the fastest-growing economies where a powerful industrial base has been created and considerable scientific and technical potential has been accumulated. He added that this creates a favourable basis for increasing mutually beneficial cooperation in trade, economy, industry, education, agriculture, culture and other areas.
Turkmenistan Foreign Minister Rashid Meredov said, today’s dialogue will set the right guidelines for further partnership, adjustment of positions and approach towards new goals of cooperation.
Kazakhstan Foreign Minister Mukhtar Tileuberdi expressed confidence that today’s event will help boost bilateral, political, economical and humanitarian ties.
External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar hosted the Central Asian Foreign Ministers to a welcome dinner last evening. In a tweet, Dr Jaishankar said the cultural show was just one more reminder of the closeness between India and Central Asia.
The Foreign Ministers of the Central Asian countries are expected to pay a joint courtesy call on Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
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