Latest news with #foreignministers
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.
Bloomberg
26-05-2025
- Business
- Bloomberg
India, Canada Hold Top-Level Talks to Mend Frayed Ties
Sign up for the India Edition newsletter by Menaka Doshi – an insider's guide to the emerging economic powerhouse, and the billionaires and businesses behind its rise, delivered weekly. Foreign ministers of Canada and India held a phone conversation on Sunday in their highest-level contact since Prime Minister Mark Carney took office, as both nations seek to repair strained ties.
Arab News
25-05-2025
- Business
- Arab News
Pakistan, Uzbekistan hope to finalize framework agreement for 573-km railway line via Afghanistan
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan's Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar on Sunday discussed the Uzbekistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan (UAP) railway line project with his Uzbek counterpart Saidov Bakhtiyor Odilovich, the Pakistani foreign ministry said, adding the two figures expressed hope the project's framework agreement would be completed soon. The $4.8 billion Uzbekistan–Afghanistan–Pakistan railway line is an extensive project with the objective of creating a direct railway link between Uzbekistan and Pakistan, passing through Afghanistan's territory. It aims to enhance trade and logistics efficiency by establishing a 573-kilometer rail connection that would connect Termiz in Uzbekistan to the northwestern Pakistani city of Peshawar via Afghanistan's Mazar-i-Sharif. The project is part of Pakistan's efforts to position itself as a key trade and transit hub, connecting landlocked Central Asian states to the global market through its strategic location. 'Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar today held a telephone conversation with the Foreign Minister of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Saidov Bakhtiyor Odilovich. The two leaders discussed existing bilateral relations, particularly Uzbekistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan (UAP) Railway Line Project,' the Pakistani foreign office said. 'They expressed the hope that framework agreement for the regional connectivity project will be finalized soon. Views were also exchanged on current regional situation.' The three neighboring countries signed an agreement to build the regional connectivity project in February 2021. Dar also visited Afghanistan in April this year and discussed the project with the Afghan Taliban rulers in Kabul. Pakistan is seeking to leverage its strategic position as a key trade and transit hub to connect Central Asia with global markets and since last year, there has been a flurry of high-level visits, investment discussions and other economic engagements between Islamabad and Central Asian republics. Pakistan and Uzbekistan have also been working toward optimizing cargo flows, establishing green corridors at border customs points, and digitalization of customs clearance processes to facilitate smoother trade operations.
Bloomberg
20-05-2025
- Business
- Bloomberg
EU Prepares to Remove Most Remaining Sanctions Against Syria
The European Union is preparing to lift all remaining economic sanctions against Syria, according to people familiar with the matter, pending formal approval by the bloc's foreign ministers gathered in Brussels on Tuesday. The EU had begun a partial suspension of restrictions in February, mainly on Syria's energy industry and certain banks, but US President Donald Trump's pledge last week to lift all sanctions on Syria gave the issue fresh momentum.
The Standard
18-05-2025
- Business
- The Standard
Colombia seeks to join China-based development bank as Latin America drifts away from Washington
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Colombia's Foreign Minister Laura Sarabia shake hands before their meeting at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing, China May 12, 2025. (Reuters)
