Latest news with #IndiaCentralAsiaDialogue
Times of Oman
3 days ago
- Health
- Times of Oman
India, Central Asia pledge joint action on health, climate, and clean energy
New Delhi: At the 4th India-Central Asia Dialogue held in New Delhi on Friday, the foreign ministers of India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan reiterated their commitment to collaborative approaches to global public health, sustainable development, and climate resilience. The meeting underscored shared priorities, including India's One Earth, One Health vision, the DAKSHIN initiative for South-South cooperation, glacier preservation, and clean energy platforms like the International Solar Alliance (ISA). Health cooperation was a core theme of the discussions, with all sides expressing their desire to deepen collaboration in the healthcare sector, including medical tourism. Under the One Earth, One Health framework, the Ministers agreed to jointly enhance healthcare infrastructure and service delivery across Central Asia and promote the use of traditional medicine. India offered technical support to help design Universal Health Coverage (UHC) models tailored for Central Asian contexts. The Ministers also agreed to explore the possibility of establishing a Joint Working Group on Cooperation in Healthcare, read the Joint Statement of the 4th India-Central Asia Dialogue. Capacity building and knowledge sharing remained another key pillar of the dialogue. To further their commitment to South-South cooperation, the Ministers agreed to work closely with India's Global South Centre of Excellence--DAKSHIN (Development and Knowledge Sharing Initiative). The platform will facilitate the exchange of development experiences to solve shared challenges using inclusive and scalable models. Climate resilience and environmental protection are also prominent. The Ministers commended the First High-Level International Conference on Glaciers' Preservation held in Dushanbe from May 29 to 31, 2025, organised in observance of the International Year of Glaciers' Preservation and World Glaciers' Day. The meeting emphasised the vital link between glaciers and sustainable socio-economic development, particularly for mountain regions dependent on freshwater sources, added the statement. In line with the Sustainable Development Goals, India highlighted the role of the International Solar Alliance (ISA) and invited Central Asian nations to join. The Ministers acknowledged ISA's importance as a mechanism for advancing the implementation of the Paris Agreement and for building clean, inclusive energy futures. India also encouraged participation in related initiatives such as the Global Biofuels Alliance (GBA) and the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI). The dialogue reflected a growing convergence between India and Central Asia on holistic, cross-sectoral cooperation. The Ministers thanked the Government of India for its warm hospitality and agreed to continue expanding these partnerships in the years ahead.
Reuters
4 days ago
- Business
- Reuters
India, central Asian countries express interest in joint rare earths exploration
NEW DELHI, June 6 (Reuters) - India and five central Asian countries have expressed interest in joint exploration of rare earths and critical minerals, they said in a joint statement on Friday after the fourth meeting of the India-Central Asia Dialogue, held in New Delhi. They also called upon relevant authorities for an early meeting of the India-Central Asia Rare Earth Forum.
Times of Oman
5 days ago
- Business
- Times of Oman
Kyrgyz FM Kulubaev arrives in New Delhi ahead of India-Central Asia Dialogue
New Delhi: Zheenbek Kulubaev, Foreign Minister of the Kyrgyz Republic, arrived in New Delhi on an official visit to participate in the fourth meeting of the India-Central Asia Dialogue, scheduled for June 6. Randhir Jaiswal, the Official Spokesperson for the Ministry of External Affairs, posted on X: "Welcome to India, FM Zheenbek Kulubaev of the Kyrgyz Republic. FM Zheenbek Kulubaev is on an official visit to India to participate in the 4th meeting of India-Central Asia Dialogue." Kulubaev is among the five visiting Foreign Ministers from Central Asia who will attend the Dialogue hosted by India's External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar. The visiting ministers will also take part in the India-Central Asia Business Council meeting on June 5, organised by the Ministry of External Affairs in collaboration with FICCI. Since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1992, India and the Kyrgyz Republic have exchanged several visits at a high political level. PM Modi has had visits to the Kyrgyz Republic recently in June 2019, with one earlier in July 2015. The India-Central Asia Dialogue, launched in Samarkand in 2019, is a key ministerial platform aimed at strengthening ties between India and the Central Asian countries - Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. The earlier editions of the Dialogue have focused on regional security, counter-terrorism, connectivity, and economic cooperation. This year's meeting is expected to build on those priorities, with discussions on trade, infrastructure, technology, and joint development initiatives. India shares centuries-old cultural and historical connections with the Central Asian region. Buddhism spread from India through Tibet to Central Asia, leaving a spiritual legacy visible at key sites such as Kara Tepe, Fayaz Tepe, and Adzhina Tepe. Indian monks helped translate scriptures and establish monasteries across the region, forming the early basis of engagement. Following the independence of the Central Asian countries after the breakup of the Soviet Union, India was among the first to establish diplomatic ties in 1992. Over the years, relations have expanded to include strategic partnerships - signed with all five countries except Turkmenistan - as well as collaboration in defence, education, and development. Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to all five Central Asian nations in 2015 gave a major boost to bilateral ties. His participation in successive Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summits in Tashkent, Bishkek, and Samarkand further reinforced India's outreach. The first India-Central Asia Summit, held virtually in January 2022 and attended by the Presidents of all five nations, led to the adoption of the Delhi Declaration, institutionalising biennial summits and regular ministerial dialogues. Defence and security cooperation are core pillars of this partnership. India holds annual military exercises such as "KazInd" with Kazakhstan, "Khanjar" with Kyrgyz Republic, and "Dustlik" with Uzbekistan. Training programmes for Central Asian defence personnel and deployment of Indian military training teams have deepened military-to-military ties. India has also supported development in the region through grant-funded projects and educational exchanges. Around 6,500 ITEC training slots and 1,500 ICCR scholarships have been offered to Central Asian students and professionals. India has also built IT centres and funded infrastructure projects across the region. Despite growing cooperation, trade volumes reached a peak of USD 3 billion in 2019-20 and falling to around USD 1.2 billion in FY 2024-25. India has invited Central Asian countries to participate in initiatives like the International North South Transport Corridor and Chabahar Port development to address connectivity challenges.
Times of Oman
5 days ago
- Business
- Times of Oman
Tajikistan Foreign Minister Sirojiddin Muhriddin arrives in India for 4th India-Central Asia Dialogue and bilateral talks
New Delhi: The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) extended a warm welcome to the Foreign Minister of the Republic of Tajikistan, Sirojiddin Muhriddin, on his official visit to India. "Warm welcome to FM Sirojiddin Muhriddin of the Republic of Tajikistan. His official visit to India includes participation in the 4th India-Central Asia Dialogue, as well as bilateral engagements," the MEA said in a post on X. As part of his visit, Muhriddin will join other regional leaders at the 4th meeting of the India-Central Asia Dialogue in New Delhi on June 6, 2025. According to a press release shared by the Indian Embassy in Dushanbe on its official X handle. (@IndEmbDushanbe), the Dialogue will be hosted by External Affairs Minister Dr S. Jaishankar and will see the participation of the Foreign Ministers of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan, in addition to Tajikistan. The third edition of the India-Central Asia Dialogue was also hosted by India in December 2021. The MEA highlighted that India and Central Asia, as part of each other's "Extended Neighbourhood," enjoy strong diplomatic ties grounded in centuries-old cultural and people-to-people exchanges. The Dialogue is a reflection of mutual interest to strengthen regional partnership through cooperation, trust, and understanding. The 4th edition will focus on enhancing collaboration in trade, connectivity, technology, and development. The participating ministers are also expected to share views on regional security and global concerns.
