India and the five Central Asian countries on Sunday agreed to enhance cooperation in trade, connectivity, and security even as they condemned terrorism, including cross-border terrorism, and stressed on the territorial integrity of Afghanistan and non-interference in its internal affairs.  India, which hosted the Third India-Central Asia Dialogue, said New Delhi is ready to take ties with the five strategically important Central Asian countries to the next level.  

In a joint statement, the foreign ministers of the five Central Asian countries - Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan - also reiterated their support for permanent membership of India in an expanded and reformed UN Security Council.

The two sides emphasized optimum usage of the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC) as well as the Ashgabat Agreement on International Transport and Transit Corridor to enhance connectivity between India and the Central Asian countries.

“They stress that connectivity initiatives should be based on the principles of transparency, broad participation, local priorities, financial sustainability and respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries,” in an apparent reference to China’s Belt and Road initiative that is facing increasing criticism across the world for pulling countries into debt traps and swallowing areas in lieu of non-payment of dues.

“They welcomed the proposal to include Chabahar Port within the framework of INSTC and expressed interest in cooperation on issues related to the development and strengthening of regional connectivity in Central and South Asia," the joint statement said. 

On Afghanistan, the two sides reiterated strong support for a peaceful, secure and stable Afghanistan while emphasizing the "respect for sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity and non-interference in its internal affairs," in an apparent reference to Pakistan that is accused of influencing the affairs of the Taliban regime in Kabul.

They took note of the outcome document of the Delhi Regional Security Dialogue of November 10 2021, in which the security chiefs of all the five countries participated at the invite of India's National Security Adviser  Ajit Doval, and noted that there is a broad ‘regional consensus’ on the issues related to Afghanistan, which includes formation of a truly representative and inclusive government, combating terrorism and drug trafficking, central role of the UN, providing immediate humanitarian assistance for the Afghan people and preserving the rights of women, children and other national ethnic groups.

The two sides expressed their desire to deepen cooperation between India and the Central Asian countries in the healthcare sector, including medical tourism as well as tourism.

“We already have a good history of cooperation; but my message to you today is the readiness to take it to the next level," India's External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said in his inaugural address.  “Our ties must now focus around 4 Cs-- Commerce, Capacity Enhancement, Connectivity and Contacts,” he said.

The five visiting foreign ministers of the Central Asian countries were: Russian Kazakbaev of Kyrgyzstan; Abdulaziz Kamilov of Uzbekistan; Rashid Meredovof Turkmenistan; Mukhtar Tileuberdi of Kazakhstan; and Sirojiddin Muhriddin of Tajikistan.(SAM)