PM MEETS FOREIGN MINISTERS OF FIVE CENTRAL ASIAN NATIONS

Foreign Ministers of five Central Asian countries—Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan—called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday and emphasised the readiness of their leaderships to further strengthen relations with India. The Prime Minister emphasised the importance that India attaches to its long-standing relations with Central Asian countries, which are part of its “Extended Neighbourhood”. He also underscored the potential of enhanced economic cooperation between India and Central Asia, and the role of connectivity in that regard. The Prime Minister conveyed his felicitations to the Ministers on the 30th anniversary of their independence this year.

The Foreign Ministers of the Central Asian countries are in New Delhi to participate in the third meeting of the India-Central Asia Dialogue. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and National Security Adviser Ajit Doval were also present during the meeting.