Lok Sabha Question No. 143 (STARRED), answered on 2022-02-11
Subject: India-Central Asia Summit
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: Ravi Kishan Shukla, Ravindra Kushawaha

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO.143

TO BE ANSWER ON 11.02.2022

## INDIA-CENTRAL ASIA SUMMIT

## *143. SHRI RAVI KISHAN:

## SHRI RAVINDRA KUSHWAHA:

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government hosted the first India-Central Asia Summit to extend engagement  with neighborhood countries recently;
- (b) if   so,   the   details   thereof   and   the   names   of   the   countries   which attended the said summit;
- (c) the issues discussed with the leaders of Central Asian countries in the summit;
- (d) whether   the   Government   has   any   proposal   to   include   more countries as part of its 'extended neighborhood' diplomacy; and
- (e) if so, the details thereof and the names of the countries likely to be included by the Government in the said policy, country-wise along with the benefits likely to accrue to the country in terms of trade, defence and international perspective?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF EXTENRAL AFFAIRS (DR. SUBRAHMANYAM JAISHANKAR)

- (a) to (e) The statement is laid on the table of the House.

## STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (A) to (E) OF LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. *143 REGARDING 'INDIA-CENTRAL   ASIA   SUMMIT'   TO   BE   ANSWERED   ON 11.02.2022.

(a) to (c) The first India-Central Asia Summit was hosted by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi in virtual format on 27 January 2022. The Summit was attended by  the Leaders of 5 Central Asian countries - the  President of the Republic of Kazakhstan H.E. Mr. Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, the President of the Kyrgyz Republic H.E. Mr. Sadyr Japarov, the President of the Republic of

Tajikistan H.E. Mr. Emomali Rahmon, the President of Turkmenistan H.E. Mr. Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov and the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan H.E. Mr. Shavkat Mirziyoyev. This was the first of its kind Summit between India and the Central Asian countries that coincided with the 30 th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between India and the Central Asian countries.

The theme of the Summit was 'Taking India-Central Asia relations to new heights'. Discussions between the leaders focused on further strengthening of relations   between   India   and   the   Central  Asian   countries   in   the   spheres   of political, trade and connectivity, development cooperation, defence, security, culture and people to people contacts. There was a strong convergence of views on combating terrorism, extremism, radicalization and drug trafficking in the region. There was also a broad regional consensus on Afghanistan.

A major outcome of the   Summit   was   the   institutionalization   of   the Summit mechanism comprising leaders level meetings every 2 years and regular meetings of the Ministers of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Culture, and Secretaries of the Security Council. A number of joint mechanisms, initiatives and activities were announced including the proposal to create a joint Parliamentary Forum and issuance of joint postal stamps to mark the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations.

(d) & (e) The contours of Government of India's 'Extended Neighbourhood' policy   includes   development   of   strong   and   multi-faceted   relations   with countries in Central Asia, Gulf, West Asia and the Indo-Pacific region. There is greater emphasis on enhancement of economic, security and defence relations with the countries in the extended neighbourhood for mutual benefit.

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