External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar addressed the India-Central Asia Dialogue, emphasizing the need for enhanced trade and technology cooperation between India and the Central Asian countries. The dialogue, the fourth of its kind, underscores India's commitment to strengthening its ties with this strategically important region. The meeting was held in New Delhi on June 6, 2025, with foreign ministers from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan in attendance.
The core focus of the dialogue was to explore avenues for deeper collaboration in trade, connectivity, technology, and overall development. Jaishankar highlighted the historical and cultural bonds between India and Central Asia, emphasizing that these ties provide a strong foundation for contemporary partnerships. He reiterated India's commitment to its 'Connect Central Asia' policy, designed to foster stronger political, economic, security, and cultural links.
During the dialogue, discussions revolved around enhancing trade and investment flows. While historical ties between India and Central Asia go back millennia, modern trade volumes remain below their potential. India's trade with Central Asia constitutes less than 0.5% of India's total trade, amounting to approximately $2 billion, in contrast to China's $100 billion. Obstacles include the landlocked nature of Central Asian countries and the lack of direct overland routes. To counter these challenges, projects like the Chabahar Port in Iran and the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC) are being developed to provide alternative trade routes.
Technology cooperation was another key area of focus. India has made strides in information technology, space exploration, and renewable energy, offering opportunities for collaboration with Central Asian countries. Specific initiatives, such as the Central Asian e-network, aim to deliver tele-education and telemedicine connectivity, leveraging India's expertise in these fields.
In addition to trade and technology, regional security emerged as a crucial theme. Jaishankar stressed the importance of joint efforts in countering terrorism. Ahead of the dialogue, Jaishankar held separate meetings with his counterparts, where combating terrorism was a recurring theme. The ministers denounced terrorism and reaffirmed their commitment to joint efforts in countering the problem. Cooperation in other areas like banking, education, energy, health, and capacity building were also discussed in the meetings.
The India-Central Asia Dialogue also addressed connectivity. Efficient connectivity is vital for boosting trade and investment. Projects like the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) pipeline, once operational, could significantly enhance energy security and regional integration. India has also extended lines of credit to Central Asian countries for infrastructure development, including highways and railway lines.
The India-Central Asia Business Council meeting, held on June 5, 2025, in collaboration with the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI), further underscored the commitment to strengthening economic ties. This platform allowed businesses from both sides to explore potential partnerships and investment opportunities.
The External Affairs Ministry emphasized that the India-Central Asia Dialogue exemplifies the shared desire to cultivate closer, broader, and stronger partnerships based on friendship, trust, and mutual understanding. The dialogue builds upon previous engagements, including the first India-Central Asia Summit held virtually in January 2022, which resulted in the Delhi Declaration, solidifying the framework for future cooperation.
As India seeks to deepen its engagement with Central Asia, initiatives such as the India-Central Asia Dialogue will play a crucial role in unlocking the region's economic potential. By focusing on trade, technology, connectivity, and security, India aims to forge a robust and mutually beneficial partnership with its extended neighborhood.
