Central Asia is central to India’s vision of an integrated, stable extended neighbourhood: PM Modi

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday stressed that Central Asia is “central” to India’s vision of an integrated and stable extended neighbourhood, as he welcomed the leaders of the five Central Asian countries to the first ever India-Central Asia Summit, held virtually. Addressing the Presidents of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan, to the summit, that is being held also to mark 30 years of establishment of relations between both sides, PM Modi said the situation in Afghanistan has all members worried. “We are all concerned with regard to regional security and have similar aims. The Afghanistan situation has all of us worried, and in this context our cooperation for regional security and stability is all the more important,” he stressed. He outlined three aims for the Summit – firstly to make clear that for the sake of regional security, prosperity and peace, mutual cooperation between India and Central Asia is necessary. Secondly, is to give a proper structure to their mutual cooperation. This would enable interactions between different stakeholders at different levels, he said. The third, is to draw up an ambitious roadmap for the next three years for India-Central Asia cooperation, on regional connectivity and cooperation from an integrated approach. “I want to make clear that Central Asia is central to India’s vision of an integrated and stable extended neighbourhood,” the PM stressed

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