India has sent invitations to heads of state of all five Central Asian countries for the upcoming Republic Day celebrations on 26 January 2022. The heads of state of Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan and Tajikistan have been invited for the Republic Day event in New Delhi. “Formal invitations have been sent to the heads of states and their replies are yet to be received,” a top source, who did not wish to be named, told a news agency.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited all five Central Asian countries in 2015 after assuming the Prime Ministership.
Inviting the heads of all five Central Asian countries on the occasion of India’s Republic Day reflects New Delhi’s outreach to Central Asia. India’s relations with all five countries are not only age-old but also play an important role in the region in terms of cultural activities, finance, medical tourism and strong diplomatic exchanges.
Central Asian countries are geographically land-locked and India has advocated better connectivity through the Chabahar port and other aspects.
These invitations are important. In view of the ongoing changes in Afghanistan, India’s sending of invitations to the heads of state of Central Asian countries for Republic Day will send a strong message to the neighbouring countries as well.