Central Asian countries and India deepen cooperation

NUR-SULTAN, October 28, 2020 - Kazakh Foreign Minister Mukhtar Tileuberdi participated in the second session of the Central Asia - India Dialogue with the participation of the Foreign Ministers of India, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan via a video-conference. The discussion was also attended by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Afghanistan, Mohammad Hanif Atmar.

A thorough exchange of views took place on expanding long-term multi-faceted cooperation and deepening interstate ties in order to strengthen security and ensure sustainable growth in Central Asia.

The prospects of trade and economic cooperation, implementation of initiatives of the participating States in this format on transport interconnection, as well as mutual assistance in stabilizing the sanitary and epidemiological situation in the region were considered.

The Ministers expressed their readiness to focus the efforts of the foreign ministries on strategically important areas of multilateral cooperation and expand economic and interregional cooperation.

It was noted that the activation of multifaceted cooperation between the States of Central Asia and India in accordance with the traditions of centuries-old friendship, mutual respect and benefit meets the common interests and is an important factor in socio-economic progress, maintaining peace, stability and security in the region.

Following the meeting, a Joint statement was adopted by the Foreign Ministers of Central Asia and India.