India, Central Asian nations emphasize greater connectivity, enhanced cooperation

By Anadolu staff

NEW DELHI (AA) – India and Central Asian nations on Friday emphasized greater connectivity and enhanced cooperation between the two sides after a meeting in New Delhi.

Indian Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar hosted the fourth meeting of the India-Central Asia Dialogue, attended by his counterparts from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan.

The ministers stressed the “importance of making concerted efforts to realise the full potential of mutual trade,” and underlined the importance of greater financial connectivity, a joint statement said.

They also emphasized optimum usage of the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC) to enhance mutual connectivity, and India reiterated “its support for the membership of Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan in INSTC,” according to the readout.

India welcomed the interest of Central Asian countries to “utilize the services” of Shahid Beheshti Terminal at the Chabahar Port for facilitating their trade with India and beyond.

The ministers agreed to work together to harness innovative solutions in areas such as public health, strengthening food security and energy security, the joint statement said, adding that they also expressed their desire to deepen cooperation in the health care sector, including medical tourism, and also interest in joint exploration of rare earth and critical minerals.