New Delhi Prepares for High-Level India–Central Asia Diplomatic Talks

New Delhi is set to host the foreign ministers of the five Central Asian nations on June 5-6 for the upcoming “India-Central Asia” Forum.

In the lead-up to the meeting, India’s Minister of State for External Affairs and Minister of State for Environment, Forest, and Climate Change, Kirti Vardhan Singh, is currently touring the Central Asian republics to lay the groundwork for the discussions.

On June 5, the “India-Central Asia” Business Forum will also take place. Launched in 2020, the forum has become the main institutional platform for advancing trade, investment, and economic cooperation between India and the five Central Asian countries: Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan.

The first “India-Central Asia” Summit, chaired by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, was held virtually on January 27, 2022. Due to COVID-19 restrictions at the time, Central Asian presidents did not travel to India, and the discussions were conducted in an online format.

The high-level virtual meeting focused on enhancing multilateral relations, strengthening regional ties, and promoting stability and sustainable development. During the summit, the Delhi Declaration was adopted, outlining a commitment to long-term partnership.