India-Central Asia Dialogue 2021: EAM Jaishankar Shares Concern Over Afghanistan Crisis

Strengthening India's relation with Central Asia, Jaishankar said efforts must focus on 4Cs -Commerce, Capacity enhancement, Connectivity and Contacts

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New Delhi: Strengthening India's relation with Central Asia, External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar on Sunday said efforts must focus on 4Cs -Commerce, Capacity enhancement, Connectivity and Contacts.

At the opening day of the third meeting of the India-Central Asia Dialogue, Jaishankar said, “The Covid-19 situation resulted in an enormous setback to global health and the global economy. It has changed the way we imagine society and workplaces, supply changes and governance. It also highlighted the inadequacy of the existing multilateral structure to meet new and emerging threats."

The dialogue has been organised amid a rapidly changing global, economic and political situation. "Despite the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, our countries have sustained the momentum of our relations, he added, according to news agency ANI.

This event, which will last till December 20, has will see participation from Foreign Ministers of Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan.

The meet assumes significance amid the ongoing humanitarian situation in Afghanistan. Since the Taliban took over, Jaishankar has met several of the participating ministers for talks focusing on the issues concerning the troubled country.

"We all share deep-rooted ties with Afghanistan and our concerns and objectives for the country include a true and representative govt, fighting against terrorism and drug trafficking, and preserving the rights of women, children and minorities in Afghanistan," said Jaishankar.

 

Meanwhile, Kazakhstan foreign minister Mukhtar Tileuberdi on Sunday said strategic partnership with India is growing dynamically and are committed to fostering constructive cooperation in all its dimensions including economic and political spheres.

The minister acknowledged this dialogue and said it has an effective consultative mechanism "We are committed to for fostering constructive cooperation in all its dimensions including economic and political spheres." Tileuberdi continued saying that during the past three decades, Kazakhstan and India have developed successful and dynamic relations across the whole spectrum of cooperation.

Tileuberdi stated that Kazakhstan is looking forward to organizing a high-level visit by President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev to India next year.

"We are eager to maintain a trustworthy political dialogue and look forward to organizing a high-level visit by President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev to India next year. That could coincide with the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between our two countries. During the events that we have scheduled for the next year will certainly help to boost bilateral political, economic, cultural and humanitarian ties," he said.

Tajikistan Foreign Minister Sirojiddin Muhriddin said, "Tajikistan considers dialogue as a key to the development and strengthening of mutually beneficial partnerships. India is one of the fastest-growing economies in the world where a powerful industrial base has been created."