India-Central Asia Summit: PM Modi To Host First Meeting With Focus On Regional Security

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) in a release said the meeting will witness the participation of the Presidents of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan.

By : ABP News Bureau | Edited By: Amit Shankar | Updated at : 19 Jan 2022 02:20 PM (IST)

India-Central Asia Summit: PM Modi To Host First Meeting With Focus On Regional Security, Says MEA India-Central Asia Summit: PM Modi To Host First Meeting With Focus On Regional Security

Prime Minister Narendra Modi. (File Photo: PTI)

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be hosting the first meeting of the India-Central Asia Summit in a virtual format on January 27.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) in a release said the meeting will witness the participation of the Presidents of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan.

This will be the first engagement of its kind between India and the Central Asian countries at the level of leaders, who are expected to discuss steps to take forward the relations to newer heights.

They are also expected to exchange views on regional and international issues of interest, especially the evolving regional security situation.

The MEA said the summit is symbolic of the importance attached by the leaders of India and the Central Asian countries to a comprehensive and enduring India-Central Asia partnership.

The MEA said the first India-Central Asia Summit is a reflection of New Delhi’s growing engagement with the Central Asian countries, which are a part of India’s “Extended Neighbourhood”.

Prime Minister Modi had earlier in 2015 paid a historic visit to all the Central Asian countries and there have subsequently been exchanges at high-levels at the bilateral and multilateral forums.

The MEA in a release said the inception of the India-Central Asia Dialogue at Foreign Ministers’ level, the third meeting of which was held in New Delhi from December 18-20, 2021, has provided an impetus to India-Central Asia relations.

“The participation of the Secretaries of National Security Councils of Central Asian countries in the Regional Security Dialogue on Afghanistan held in New Delhi on November 10, 2021, outlined a common regional approach on Afghanistan,” the MEA added.