Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with the Finance Ministers of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan in New Delhi on Friday, June 6, 2025, reaffirming India's strong commitment to its relationship with the Central Asian nations and pledging a united front against terrorism. The meeting took place on the sidelines of the 4th India-Central Asia Dialogue.
During the discussions, Modi emphasized the historical and cultural ties between India and Central Asia, highlighting that these connections form a robust foundation for enhanced cooperation. He outlined his vision for strengthening economic interconnections, expanding connectivity, bolstering defense and security cooperation, and fostering collaboration in emerging fields such as fintech, food security, and healthcare. He stressed that a strong India-Central Asia partnership acts as a force multiplier in addressing shared regional and global challenges.
The Central Asian Foreign Ministers expressed their strong condemnation of the terrorist attack that occurred in Pahalgam on April 22, 2025. They conveyed their support for India's ongoing efforts to combat cross-border terrorism. This unified stance underscores the shared security concerns and the commitment to regional stability. Modi reiterated India's firm policy of zero tolerance against terrorism, emphasizing the need for joint efforts to curb financial support to terrorist organizations, enhance intelligence sharing, prevent the misuse of emerging technologies, and promote cooperation in investigation and judicial processes.
Connectivity remains a key focus area in strengthening ties between India and Central Asia. Initiatives such as the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC) and the development of the Chabahar Port in Iran are seen as vital for reducing travel times and costs, thereby boosting trade and economic cooperation. During the India-Central Asia Business Council meeting, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar emphasized the need for greater investment in improving connectivity and advocated for the mutual settlement of trade in national currencies.
Looking ahead, Modi extended an invitation to the leaders of all Central Asian countries to attend the Second India-Central Asia Summit, which will be held in India. This summit aims to further solidify the partnership and chart a course for future collaboration. The first summit was held virtually on January 27, 2022. Furthermore, India is expected to play an active role in strengthening cooperation among BRICS parliaments and advancing a shared approach to addressing global challenges, with India entrusted to host the 12th BRICS Parliamentary Forum next year.
