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India Gazette
2 hours ago
- Politics
- India Gazette
India's historical linkages with Central Asian Countries being fostered through cooperation in defence, several other areas
New Delhi [India], June 5 (ANI): External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar will host the Foreign Ministers of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan for the fourth meeting of the India-Central Asia Dialogue on June 6. India's historical and cultural linkages with the Central Asian Countries are being fostered with cooperation in a range of areas, including defence. India shares historical and cultural linkages with the Central Asian Countries (CACs) going back to several millennia. Buddhism spread from India via Tibet to Central Asia, establishing strong spiritual ties. Indian monks founded monasteries and translated texts across Central Asia. Key Buddhist sites like Termiz, Fayaz Tepe, Kara Tepe, and Adzhina Tepe reflect this influence. India was one of the first countries to establish diplomatic relations with the CACs in 1992 following their emergence as independent countries after the collapse of the erstwhile USSR. India has concluded strategic partnerships with all the CACs, except Turkmenistan. There have been several high-level visits between India and Central Asia countries bilaterally. With Prime Minister Narendra Modi's historic visit to all CACs in July 2015, India's ties with these countries have been put on a much higher trajectory and many new areas of cooperation have emerged. PM Modi also visited many Central Asian capitals/cities to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Summits in Tashkent (2016), Nur-Sultan (2017), Bishkek (2019), and Samarkand (2022). Similarly, there have been regular visits to India by Central Asian leaders. India-Central Asia Summit, at leaders level, is the highest level of engagement between India and Central Asia. The inaugural Summit was held virtually in January 2022. It marked a pivotal step in strengthening India's ties with the region. It was chaired by PM Modi and attended by the Presidents of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. The Summit adopted the 'Delhi Declaration,' institutionalizing biennial summits and regular ministerial dialogues. The India-Central Asia Dialogue, launched in January 2019 in Samarkand, is a meeting of Foreign Ministers. It serves as a key platform for strengthening ties between India and Central Asia. The second meeting took place virtually in October 2020 and focussed on regional security, counter-terrorism, and infrastructure development. The third meeting was held in New Delhi in December 2021 and emphasised connectivity to further deepen the ties between India and Central Asia. The fourth edition of the Dialogue is taking place in New Delhi on June 5-6. The India-Central Asia NSA's meetings, inaugurated in December 2022 in New Delhi and followed by a second meeting in October 2023 in Astana, serves as a vital platform for regional cooperation on security, counter-terrorism, cybersquatting, and connectivity. It also proposed capacity building programme for Central Asian officials on various aspects such as Drug Law Enforcement, preventing Terror Financing etc. Defence cooperation is an important pillar of India's strategic partnership with the CACs. India has annual military exercises 'KazInd' with Kazakhstan, 'Khanjar' with Kyrgyz Republic and 'Dustlik' with Uzbekistan. Training of defence personnel of CACs in Indian premier defence training institutes and deployment of Indian Military training teams in some countries is another important aspect of India's defence cooperation. India has been assisting the CACs through developmental projects, capacity building and human resource development since their independence. India has extended about 6500 ITEC slots and 1500 ICCR scholarships to the professionals and students from the CACs. India has set up IT Centers in all the CACs. India's major grant projects include Mountain Bio-medical Research Center in the Kyrgyz Republic, setting up of Modern Engineering Workshop, Computer Labs in 37 schools and renovation of Varzob-1 Hydro Power Plant in Tajikistan, Entrepreneurship Development Center in Uzbekistan and an Industrial Training Center in Turkmenistan. Framework MoUs for implementation of High Impact Community Development Projects (HICDP) with India's grant assistance have been signed with all the CACs. India Central Asia trade reached a high of USD 3 billion in 2019-20. India's total trade with Central Asian region in FY 2024-25 was around USD 1.2 billion. Lack of overland connectivity between India and Central Asia and lack of awareness among businesses on the both sides about opportunities available are among impediments. To improve connectivity between India and the region, India has invited the Central Asian countries to be part of the International North South Transport Corridor and the Chabahar port development. India and the CACs enjoy close cultural relations. Several Buddhist sites throughout Central Asia testify to the spread of Buddhism from India to Central Asia and beyond. Yoga, Indian dance and music and Bollywood remain extremely popular in the CACs. The Indian community in Central Asia comprises approximately 45,000 individuals, primarily medical students, distributed across the region as follows: Kazakhstan (10,500), Kyrgyzstan (12,860), Tajikistan (1,600), Turkmenistan (100), and Uzbekistan (15,000). This diaspora includes students, entrepreneurs, professionals in sectors such as oil, IT, banking, hospitality, and representatives of Indian or multinational corporations. Apart from this, more than 2 lakh Indians visited the Central Asian countries (mainly Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan) in 2024. As of May 2025, Indian citizens can visit Central Asia with visa-free entry to Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan for up to 14 days and 7 days respectively and e-visas are available for Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan. Four Central Asian Countries (except Turkmenistan) are fellow members of SCO, Asia Cooperation Dialogue and CICA. All the CACs support India's permanent membership in a reformed and expanded UN Security Council. CACs generally support India's candidates in the elections to UN bodies. At the fourth meeting of the India-Central Asia Dialogue in New Delhi on June 6, the Ministers will discuss further strengthening of relations between India and Central Asian countries with particular focus on trade, connectivity, technology, and development cooperation. They will also share perspectives on challenges to regional security and other regional and global issues of mutual interest. The Foreign Ministers will also participate in the India-Central Asia Business Council meeting being held on June 5 by MEA in collaboration with FICCI. (ANI)
Business Recorder
a day ago
- Business
- Business Recorder
Fatemi meets Russian FM Lavrov
ISLAMABAD: At the beginning of his visit to the Russian Federation, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister (SAPM), Syed Tariq Fatemi called on Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov Tuesday afternoon, Foreign Office said in a statement. The SAPM conveyed the prime minister's warm greetings and reiterated the Pakistani leadership's commitment to deepening bilateral cooperation with Russia across various sectors, including energy, connectivity, and trade. He also provided a detailed briefing on recent developments in South Asia, outlining Pakistan's concerns regarding regional escalation risks. In particular, he highlighted the serious implications of India's threat to disrupt the flow of the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) by declaring it in so-called 'abeyance.' Foreign Minister Lavrov expressed satisfaction with the steady growth in bilateral cooperation, underscoring key collaborative projects such as the establishment of new Steel Mills and critical connectivity initiatives. He reaffirmed Russia's eagerness to strengthen ties with Pakistan within the framework of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), particularly in the area of counter-terrorism. Regarding Pakistan-India relations, Foreign Minister Lavrov emphasised Russia's support for the normalisation of ties between the two countries, noting its positive impact on regional stability. Before concluding the meeting, the SAPM hand-delivered a letter from Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to President Vladimir Putin. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
a day ago
- Business
- Business Recorder
Structural reforms position Pakistan for sustainable growth, says Aurangzeb
Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb on Tuesday said that the ongoing structural reforms have 'well-positioned' Pakistan for sustainable growth. He made these remarks during a virtual address at the Meeting of Ministers of Finance and Chairmen of Central (National) Banks of SCO Member States, held in Beijing, China. Aurangzeb shared that he had a desire to participate in the meeting in person, but due to the ongoing annual budget session in Pakistan, the minister was unable to travel to China. In his address, the finance minister highlighted Pakistan's recent macroeconomic indicators, including a 'current account surplus, primary surplus on the fiscal side, a stable currency on the back of growing FX reserves and inflation at a multi-year low'. He added that credit rating agencies have upgraded Pakistan's sovereign rating. 'This is on the back of structural reforms, which are well underway in sectors, i.e. taxation, SOE, energy and in the public finances. We are committed to staying the course and will be well-positioned for sustainable growth in the coming year.' The finance minister reaffirmed Pakistan's dedication to the vision and principles of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO). He emphasised that the SCO is a vital platform for promoting regional cooperation, enhancing economic ties, and working towards shared prosperity, in line with the 'Shanghai Spirit' and the SCO Charter. The minister highlighted Pakistan's ongoing efforts to strengthen economic cooperation within the SCO framework, calling for increased collaboration in trade, investment, and financial integration. He proposed initiatives such as joint ventures, technology transfer, and capacity-building programs that could deliver mutual benefits to all member states. Recognising the growing importance of the digital economy, he outlined Pakistan's digital financial initiatives aimed at promoting inclusion and expanding access to capital. He pointed to programs like Roshan Digital Accounts and digital banking platforms, which have shown notable success in widening access to financial services. The finance minister stressed the need for joint solutions to address major issues such as the global economic slowdown, growing economic disparities, rising wave of protectionism and climate change and called for the adoption of a sustainable development that benefits all member states. 'Pakistan believes that SCO member states can learn from each other's experiences and best practices in addressing these challenges in the global south,' he said. The Senator highlighted the importance of infrastructure development and regional connectivity in enhancing economic growth and supported measures to improve transport, energy and digital connectivity in the region. The minister reiterated Pakistan's strong support for the establishment of the SCO Development Bank, describing it as a pivotal institution to support infrastructure financing, promote development, and deepen regional economic integration. He envisioned the Bank as forward-looking, incorporating digital finance, fintech innovation, and green financing tools into its operations. 'We look forward to engaging on the technical details on the establishment of the SCO Development Bank,' he said. The finance minister also welcomed the operationalisation of the SCO Network of Financial Think Tanks, and was hopeful that it would serve as an 'excellent platform for research, analysis and strategic foresight in our financial cooperation'. In conclusion, the finance minister reiterated Pakistan's commitment to enhancing economic cooperation within the SCO framework. 'We believe that our collective endeavours will promote economic prosperity, stability and sustainable development in our region,' he said.
Arab Times
27-05-2025
- Business
- Arab Times
China willing to deepen strategic ties with Kuwait: Premier Li
KUALA LUMPUR, May 27: Chinese Premier Li Qiang on Monday reaffirmed China's readiness to enhance strategic cooperation with Kuwait and push forward the steady development of bilateral relations. His remarks came during a meeting with His Highness the Crown Prince of Kuwait, Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah, who was representing His Highness the Amir Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah at the ASEAN-GCC-China Summit in the Malaysian capital. According to China's Xinhua News Agency, Premier Li highlighted the longstanding and robust nature of China-Kuwait relations, which have steadily progressed for over 50 years. He credited the strategic guidance of both Chinese President Xi Jinping and His Highness the Amir of Kuwait for the recent momentum and success in practical cooperation between the two countries. Li noted the economic complementarity between China and Kuwait, emphasizing the potential for deeper collaboration. He expressed China's support for aligning the Belt and Road Initiative with Kuwait Vision 2035, aiming to broaden the scope of joint projects and expedite their implementation. The Chinese leader outlined key sectors for expanded cooperation, including energy, investment, the green and digital economies, and artificial intelligence. He also underscored the importance of people-to-people ties, advocating for stronger partnerships in education and tourism to foster closer cultural and social connections. Amid rising global instability and protectionist trends, Li stressed the significance of multilateral engagement. He called for continued coordination with Kuwait through platforms such as the United Nations, the China-GCC framework, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, and the Conference on Interaction and Confidence-Building Measures in Asia. This, he said, would promote equitable global governance and contribute to international peace and prosperity. During the meeting, both sides reviewed the current state of Kuwait-China relations and discussed avenues for strengthening cooperation across various fields. They also addressed regional and international developments in the context of the ongoing summits.
India Gazette
25-05-2025
- Politics
- India Gazette
Russia and India vow joint fight against terrorism
Indian lawmakers have made a three-day visit to the Russian capital to discuss the recent standoff with Pakistan Moscow and New Delhi have confirmed "a decisive commitment to an uncompromising joint fight against all forms of terrorism," the Russian Foreign Ministry said following high-level talks with an Indian parliamentary delegation in the capital this week. According to both sides, discussions focused on strengthening cooperation in regional and global forums, including the UN, BRICS, and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization. Indian officials said Russia's support reflects the deep trust between the two countries and comes at a critical moment in the face of growing regional challenges. "The Indian side reiterated its zero-tolerance policy towards terrorism and stressed that India will not tolerate any nuclear blackmail," the Indian Ministry of External Affairs stated. The Russian Foreign Ministry reported that the two sides discussed enhancing cooperation on security and counter-terrorism in regional and global forums, particularly in the United Nations, BRICS, and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO). "A decisive commitment to an uncompromising joint fight against all forms of terrorism was confirmed," the ministry stated. Presenting New Delhi's viewpoint on its recent diplomatic and military standoff with Pakistan - which escalated after 26 Indians lost their lives in a terrorist attack in Kashmir on April 22 - the head of the delegation, DMK party MP Kanimozhi Karunanidhi, explained that India's response had been both necessary and non-escalatory. She also echoed Prime Minister Narendra Modi's recent remarks that India would react strongly to terrorist attacks and would make no distinction between terrorists and their sponsors. "We do not want to suffer in silence as we have done in the past," she said, emphasizing that India has been facing security threats for decades. Moscow was chosen as the delegation's first stop, with subsequent visits planned to Slovenia, Latvia, and Spain. Indian lawmakers and former diplomats emphasized that the long-standing ties with Russia and the high level of trust between the two governments contributed to the success of the visit. "We naturally seek an understanding that Russia is by our side in this time of difficulty. It is better that people are aware of our suffering from state-sponsored terrorism by Pakistan," the delegation members told the media on Saturday. Defense cooperation was also discussed, with the effectiveness of Russian-made equipment - including the S-400 air defense systems supplied to India in recent years, as well as BrahMos missiles co-developed by India and Russia, being highlighted by Indian military officials and experts. width="560" height="315" src=" frameborder="0" > (
