Ambassador Ashok Sharma, Vice President India Central Asia Foundation Chaired the webinar.
Amb. Ashok Sharma opened the webinar with remarks on India & the Central Asian region, highlighting mutual historical & contemporary ties. Additionally, he expanded on the current situation & on the merits of Air Connectivity between India and Central Asia.
The guest Speakers were:
( a ) H E Asein Isaev, Ambaasador or the Kyrgyz Republic in India
Ambassador Asein Issaev highlighted the contemporary scenario in the region
Where trade and economic cooperation were the prime motivation for Central Asian States, a laudable suggestion was the need to establish an India Central Asia Secretariat; to strengthen ‘ the India Central Asia Dialogue ‘. He focused on the need for a reliable land transport corridor and communication between India and Central Asia. Afghanistan had however, become a ‘ Blown Up Bridge’ between India and Central Asia.
(Speech of Ambassador Asein Isaev attached herewith)
( b ) Mr. Hibibullo Mirzozoda, Counsellor and Deputy Head of the Embassy of the Republic of Tajikistan in India
Mr. Hibibullo focused on peace and security and land transport connectivity as the vital need for the landlocked Central Asian states. He applauded the setting up two important structures; Central Asia India Dialogue and the Summit meetings as a significant development in the relationship. . Tajikistan is developing and India could play an important role in areas such as; Energy, Transport, health and tourism sectors as well as in defence cooperation.
(Speech of Mr Hibibullo Mirzozoda attached herewith)
Professor Laura Yerekesheva, Professor, at Al Farabi University, Almaty, Kazakhstan
Highlighted the role of education in furthering the professional careers of the youth.
Hekmatullah Azmy, Formarly, a Senior Analyst in the National Directorate of Security, Afghanistan. Now lives in Norway.
He mentioned the negative role being played by Taliban in society. Since the focus of the webinar was on India and Central Asia, issues in Afghanistan will be taken up at the next webinar.
Ambassador Gitesh Sarma, Former Ambassador of India to Uzbekistan
This is a timely initiative by the India Central Asia Foundation. The event comes soon after the India – Central Asia Dialogue at the level of Foreign Ministers in New Delhi in December 2021 and the virtual Heads of State Summit on 27 January, 2022. Our meeting is also against the backdrop of the landmark events in Afghanistan last year.
India and Central Asia share close and historical linkages over centuries. However, a difficult territory now separates us in the last 75 years.
Our ties have many dimensions and tracks, and not all tracks are moving at the same speed. At the political level there is a great deal of closeness and comfort. All countries (except Turkmenistan), along with us, are members of the Shanghai Corporation Organisation (SCO). We meet in other formats, including CICA.
The lack of efficient trade corridors makes it difficult to forge stronger and more comprehensive economic ties. There is a need to use the Chabahar route and other corridors for trade. Even in this situation, it has been possible for India to source uranium from Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan.
TAPI also is worth pushing.
Under the circumstances, civil aviation linkages must be strengthened. A more liberal visa policy may help in increasing the passenger load. We could also study, together with business Chambers, the possibility of freight operations using air services. Perhaps a combination of freight plus passenger flights could make air services viable.
Lastly, we tend to talk of Central Asia as one uniform region. But each of the Central Asian countries have their own rich histories, cultures and specific characteristics. Understanding and respecting them will help.
Ambassador Dinkar Srivatsava, Former Ambassador of India to Iran, and now Distinguished Fellow at the Vivekananda International Foundation.
Amb. Srivatsava highlighted the connectivity options for India to reach out to Central Asia. He mentioned the two land corridors; the International North South Transport Corridor and the Chabahar port.
Dr Pravesh Kumar Gupta, Research Associate Vivekanada International Foundation
India- Central Asia share close historical and civilizational ties, and it has worked as a foundation for contemporary bilateral relations. Most of the existing literature on India-Central Asia relations emphasise on One sided narrative of Silk route created by China while India’s links with the region goes back to the Indus Valley period and may be even prior to that. There is an urgent requirement on both India and the Central Asian side to work on India-Central Asia historical relations from this perspective concentrating mainly on archaeological research and finding. Some joint projects may be initiated to look into this aspect of India Central Asia relations.
Dr Kamala Kumari, Assistant Professor, Delhi University
To a question on the perception of the Central Asian States’ on the India Central Asia Summit? The concurred response of both guest speakers from Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan, that it was viewed highly favourably in their respective countries. The setting up of structures like Central Asia Dialogue, secretariat and the Summit meetings were a positive development.
Professor Nirmala Joshi, Director India Central Asia Foundation
Prof. Joshi focused on the cultural, historical, contacts that have enriched the cultures for both India and the Central Asian countries. In this context Professor Joshi mentioned the Kyrgyz epics Manas which has mentioned elephants. Perhaps they were of Indian origin. The famous Buddhist monasteries and Statutes of Buddha of Tajikistan came in for mention also. These Buddhist centres attract tourists from all over the world.
Speech of H E Asein Issaev Ambassador of the Kyrgyz Republic to India
Speech on CA-India Summit
Dear colleagues,
I am very pleased to welcome you all at today’s event dedicated to the results of CA-India Summit.
I would like to express my sincere gratitude to India-Central Asia Foundation for the great efforts in organizing our webinar. I am sure that the results of this event will make a significant contribution to the further development of cooperation between our countries.
Dear friends,
The decision taken by the Leaders of our countries to hold the first Summit Dialogue “Central Asia-India” was an important strategic choice. The countries of Central Asia and India have come a long way together since gaining independence in 1990th. Much has been done over the 30 years of our joint path and today, we are strategic partners.
On a global scale, Central Asia and South Asia have become the strategic point of world politics and economics. Currently, our region is going through a very important period. It should be noted that Central Asia and India have strong and close historical ties in trade, culture, education and science. I believe that joint efforts of our countries to find ways to enhance interregional cooperation are vivid example of deep mutual desire to strengthen them. I am very pleased that during the Summit, the Heads of all participating countries also underlined their unanimous support in bringing Central Asia’s relations with India to a new, higher level.
So, we can say that the first CA-India Summit became an important historical event and landmark point in the development of friendly relations of India’s strategic partnership with the countries of Central Asia.
I truly believe that the Summit can become an important and decisive platform in building mechanisms for multilateral cooperation in the trade, economic, investment, scientific, technical, cultural and humanitarian fields. I am very pleased that the areas of interaction within the framework of Central Asia – India Dialogue are expanding from year to year: from security issues to cultural and humanitarian cooperation.
Undoubtedly, trade and economic cooperation is one of the main catalysts for the development of relationship between any countries. India is one of the main suppliers of pharmaceutical products to the countries of the Central Asian region. India occupies an important place in the supply of the textile industry, medical tourism and other areas.
I would like to emphasize that the program of the National Strategy for Sustainable Development of the Kyrgyz Republic, adopted for the period 2018-2040, contains the main goals and objectives aimed at developing the economy of Kyrgyzstan. In this document, development of trade and economic cooperation with the countries of the region, and India in particular, remains one of the priorities.
Currently, the Government of the Kyrgyz Republic actively working to create favorable conditions for attracting investment, which is a key moment in achieving the main target of restoring economic growth rates. At the same time, we are constantly working to improve the investment climate in the country.
Of course, the presence of external risk factors, mainly due to the current situation with COVID-19, definitely affected all our national economies. Accordingly, the priority task within our Dialogue is to overcome the socio-economic consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic.
In this context, the CA-India Dialogue provides excellent opportunities for more intensive development of trade, economic, transport and logistics ties between the CA countries and India.
An important role in this should be played by the further institutional strengthening of the Dialogue through the creation of the Secretariat, additional ministerial and expert meetings on various issues of interaction. Primarily in the transport and communications sphere, trade and economic, investment, IT technologies and other equally important sectors.
It should be noted that the modernization of important transport arteries is the main component of the development of landlocked countries. The lack of reliable land communications between Central Asia and India is one of the main constraints in the implementation of interregional projects. Of course, in order to improve communications between the Central Asian countries and India, coordination and mutual support of each side is necessary.
In this context, Kyrgyz side is interested in cooperation in the development of transport communication between India and the countries of Central Asia along the route “Northern Corridor”. This route starts from “Mumbai (India) – port of Chabahar and Bandar Abbas (Iran – by sea,) and the countries of Central Asia (by rail)”.
This position was voiced by the President of the Kyrgyz Republic, H.E. Mr. Sadyr Japarov, during the CA-India Summit, as well as by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kyrgyz Republic, Mr. Ruslan Kazakbaev, during the ministerial meeting in December 2021.
I can note that all parties during the CA-India Summit expressed a unanimous desire on the urgent need to develop transport communications.
I can also say that the leaders of our countries also agreed to create a number of mechanisms, including meetings of the ministers of transport of the Central Asian countries and India to consider and solve all issues in this direction.
Concerning the situation in Afghanistan I would like to especially note the unanimity of all the Leaders during the Summit on the issue of providing urgent humanitarian assistance to the people of Afghanistan.
Kyrgyzstan was among the first countries to deliver humanitarian aid by air to Kabul, as well as by land transport to ethnic Kyrgyz living in the province of Badakhshan.
In addition, the Government of Kyrgyzstan has decided to continue issuing student visas for citizens of Afghanistan.
Undoubtedly, the entire world community is concerned about the situation in the Afghanistan and providing all possible assistance. But the reality is that, first of all, our countries, as the closest neighbours, should be united in involving Afghanistan in the economic integration processes in the region, primarily in the field of energy, transport and communication ties.
I would especially like to note that in the context of the globalization of modern processes, events in a particular country have an impact not only on neighbouring countries, but also on the regions as a whole.
The unstable situation in Afghanistan is a vivid example when events in just one country affect the development of trade and economic relations between the regions of Central Asia and South Asia. Given all the prospects of geographical location, we can say without exaggeration that Afghanistan today has become a “blown up bridge” between Central Asia and South Asia.
In my opinion, stability in Afghanistan should contribute to the further development of economic cooperation between the countries of Central Asia and India. In this regard, the implementation of transport and communication projects in Afghanistan will create conditions for expanding opportunities in trade, economic and investment sectors. It will definitely help to strength transport and communication interaction between the countries of Central Asia and India.
Dear friends,
Using this opportunity let me highlight the most important moments and recent developments in our bilateral relations between Kyrgyzstan and India.
Being in the centre of the Eurasian continent, Kyrgyzstan is historically and geographically predetermined to have close ties with India. In turn, Indian civilization since ancient times has had a profound impact on all the countries of Central Asia, and on Kyrgyzstan in particular.
Today, Kyrgyzstan and India have similar positions on many top issues of modern global and regional politics. The democratic paths of development of our countries predetermine our common regional interests, including our positions on the situation in Afghanistan.
An important factor is active contacts at all levels between our countries in order to jointly promote all issues of bilateral relations between Kyrgyz Republic and India.
For example, only in the second half of 2021, despite the restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we held a number of important and significant bilateral events:
On June 16, 2021, Kyrgyz-Indian inter-MFA consultations were held;
On September 17, 2021, the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the Kyrgyz Republic and India held a bilateral meeting in Dushanbe;
On October 10-11, 2021, Minister of External Affairs of India Mr. S.Jaishankar arrived on official visit to Kyrgyzstan,
On October 25-28, Secretary of the Security Council of the Kyrgyz Republic Mr. M. Imankulov visited India to participate in the first strategic consultations on security;
On November 2, 2021, a meeting of the President of the Kyrgyz Republic Mr. S. Japarov and Prime-Minister of India Mr. N. Modi was held in Glasgow;
On November 11, 2021, the Secretary of the Security Council of the Kyrgyz Republic Mr. M. Imankulov visited India to participate in the regional dialogue on Afghanistan;
On December 17-20, 2021, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kyrgyz Republic R. Kazakbaev visited India to participate in the India-CA Dialogue.
In addition, an important event was hold on October 29, 2021 in New Delhi – official reception in honour of the 30th Anniversary of the Independence of the Kyrgyz Republic. The event was attended by representatives of the Government, ministries and departments of India, the diplomatic corps accredited in New Delhi, representatives of the business community and the Indian media. The chief guest of the event was the Minister of State for External Affairs/Minister of State for Culture of India, Ms. Menakshi Lekhi.
In general, in the entire history of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the Kyrgyz Republic and the Republic of India, a number of high-level visits have taken place.
The Presidents of the Kyrgyz Republic visited India in 1992, 1999, 2002, 2003, 2016 and 2019, during which the foundations were laid for the development of cooperation in the political, trade, economic, cultural and humanitarian fields.
The Prime Ministers and Presidents of India visited Kyrgyz Republic in 1995, 1996 and 1999, which played an important role in the development of political cooperation between the two countries.
Indian Prime Minister Mr. N. Modi visited Kyrgyzstan twice, in 2015 and 2019.
At the same time, the visit of Mr. Modi to Kyrgyzstan in 2019 can be considered as a new stage in the development of bilateral relations. During the visit our countries signed a declaration on the establishment of bilateral relations of strategic partnership.
There are also additional platforms between our countries, within which Kyrgyzstan and India interact – these are meetings of intergovernmental commissions and consultations between the foreign ministries of the two countries, interaction within the framework of the United Nations, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and other international structures.
Regarding practical cooperation, it should be noted that with the financial support of India, a mountain training centre was built on the basis of the “Edelweiss” training centre in Balykchy.
The Telemedicine project is successfully operating, which we also plan to expand to all regions in the Kyrgyz Republic.
A number of restaurants and hotels with the participation of Indian capital have been opened. In general, more than 300 Kyrgyz-Indian companies currently operate in Kyrgyzstan in various fields of activity.
Education sector is quite important in our relations. As of February this year, more than 14 thousand students from India study in Universities of Kyrgyzstan. Most of them are in medicine universities. I can note that the excellent conditions for studying and living in the ratio of price and quality have made our country one of the most attractive in the region for the Indian side.
In turn, the Kyrgyz side is constantly working with the universities on the conditions of study and residence of Indian students in the Kyrgyz Republic. In Kyrgyzstan, a large-scale check of the state of preparation of foreign students in universities (medical faculties) is being carried out.
One of the main requirements is the presence of a clinical base. Work is underway to develop mechanisms for the effective training of medical personnel. In the future, accreditation of medical universities will be carried out in accordance with international standards. In addition, it was decided to raise the level of education of both public and private medical universities to international standards.
Joint military exercises “Kanzhar” are held on a regular basis. It is very important to note the cooperation between Transnational company “Dastan” and the Indian Navy, which has a long history. Our long-term and mutually beneficial cooperation in this area has led to important agreements on the establishment of a big joint venture in India in the city of Pune.
We have also begun work on the implementation of grant assistance in the amount of 30 million US dollars for projects with a quick effect. The corresponding memorandum was signed during the visit of Minister S. Jaishankar to the Kyrgyz Republic. In addition, we are working to obtain a preferential loan in the amount of 200 million US dollars.
Based on the abovementioned, I can note that there is a deep political understanding between the Kyrgyz Republic and India, which allows us to develop fruitful cooperation based on traditional friendship and mutual trust. Thanks to joint efforts, we have built mutually beneficial, strategic partnerships that are developing in all areas of interest, including trade, economic, military-defence, cultural, humanitarian and educational spheres.
Thank you for your attention
Speech of Mr. Hibibiullo Mirzozoda, Counsellor and Deputy Head of the Embassy of Republic of Tajikistan in India.
Mr. Chair,
Distinguished guests,
Ladies and gentlemen,
First of all, I would like to express my gratitude to the Director of the India-Central Asia Foundation (ICAF) for inviting the Embassy of the Republic of Tajikistan to the Republic of India to this very important event.
As the Founder of Peace and National Unity, the Leader of Nation, the President of the Republic of Tajikistan, His Excellency Emomali Rahmon emphasized in his introductory speech during the Summit of India-Central Asia ‘the countries of Central Asia and India are connected by historical traditions of good relations and mutual respect, the roots of which go back to the mists of time. It is gratifying that these unique traditions continue to serve today as a reliable foundation for the dynamic development of friendship and cooperation between our countries. In this regard, we attach an utmost importance to the growing interactions within the format of India-Central Asia’.
During the 3rd meeting of India-Central Asia Dialogue the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Tajikistan H.E. Sirojiddin Muhriddin stressed that the ties of Central Asia and India are based on common historical, cultural, and linguistic roots, which our peoples preserved over many centuries. Since the Middle Ages the peoples of our countries through exchanges and migrating mutually enriched their culture, customs, and languages.
Dear Colleagues,
A growing trend in the regional integration of Central Asia, which is now obvious, creates new opportunities for expanding cooperation between our region and India. At the same time, today, India is one of the fastest growing economies, where a powerful industrial base has been created and considerable scientific and technical potential has been accumulated.
In our opinion, joint efforts should be focused on the further development of practical cooperation in the fields of health care, agriculture, transport communication, industry, ITC, energy, culture and education, as well trade and investments.
Over the recent years, the countries of the Central Asia have reached a lot by making joined efforts, but as we know, the world is changing so rapidly and new threats and challenges require to undertake more efficient measures to secure peace and stability in the region as well to create favorable conditions for sustainable development and wellbeing of people.
Along with peace and security, connectivity of our countries plays a vital role in expanding trade and investments.
Through the implementation of the national and regional projects, particularly in the areas of energy, transport and communication, railroad construction, power plants and boarder markets, Tajikistan has been contributing to connectivity, in particular between Central Asia and South Asian countries. These projects will help to address the issues such as unemployment, poverty alleviation and overcome the difficulties that could in general result in socio-economic development.
It should be pointed out that over the past five years, an active process of expanding trade, economic, cultural and humanitarian cooperation have been going on in Central Asia. In the last two years before the pandemic, Tajikistan’s trade with Central Asian countries reached $1.5 billion.
It is encouraging that despite the Covid-19 restrictions the volume of bilateral trade during 2021 in comparison to the same period of the last year has increased almost four times (372%) and reached more than 100 million dollars.
This is a clear indication that there is a great potential for increasing trade and we should utilize all the opportunities efficiently.
We are pleased with the ongoing process of political contacts between Tajikistan and India at all levels. We believe that it is important to further enhance mutually beneficial, effective and targeted multilateral cooperation in the framework of India-Central Asia platform.
Desiring to strengthen and deepen the ties of cooperation, Tajikistan and India established diplomatic relations on August 28, 1992 just shortly after gaining independence by Tajikistan. Since that historic date, both sides made every effort to deepen and enhance cooperation for the mutual benefits. A series of high level reciprocal visits between two countries have strengthened bilateral relations and facilitated creation of a broad legal framework of cooperation, which nowadays embrace more than 70 documents.
Our relations are based on long lasting common historical and cultural roots, as well as strategically important partnership, cordial, and mutual trust at the highest level. We believe that the fourth decade of our relations, which started this year may open new opportunities and avenues for enhancing and deepening mutually beneficial cooperation.
Collaboration with the Republic of India, in the framework of different platforms including the India-Central Asia Dialogue and Summit is considered to be very important for Tajikistan and all other countries of the region. Tajikistan regards the these platforms as the main tool for development and strengthening of partnership between the interested countries and they also play significant role in improving connectivity and increasing trade, as well as forging closer ties between the peoples of India and Central Asia.
At present, Tajikistan is implementing the Program for the Accelerated Development of the Industrial Sector of the Economy until 2025. Therefore, our country is interested in setting up joint ventures in all areas within the existing industrial enterprises operating in Tajikistan and on the territory of our economic zones.
Energy sector
Energy sector is a key sector for economic growth and development and industry as well. Tajikistan pays a great attention to the strengthening of capacities for generation of “green energy” based on renewable energy sources.
With the commissioning of several energy projects for the generation of environmentally friendly electricity, Tajikistan is making its contribution to the development of a “green economy”.
Transport sector
The expansion of transport and connectivity links undoubtedly contributes to the strengthening of trade and economic cooperation between our countries.
Tajikistan is interested in cooperation in the development of a transport corridor along the route “Northern Corridor”- “Mumbai (India)- Chobahar (Iran –by sea)- the countries of Central Asia by railway. The current realities also indicate the relevance of increasing air traffic between our countries.
Tajikistan is highly interested in the development and implementation of joint regional infrastructure projects for facilitating access of the landlocked Central Asia countries to the sea. In this regard, the importance of Chabahar Port for enhancing connectivity between India and Central Asian countries should be considered.
In cooperation with the international partners, Tajikistan has also so far implemented more than fifty three (53) investment projects in the field of transport for a total amount of about two (1.8) billion dollars. In addition, today ten (10) investment projects worth more than 600 (623) million dollars are being implemented for these purposes.
Strengthening Cultural and Humanitarian links
As it was mentioned above the bonds of friendship between our peoples are based on the common historical and cultural values. The peoples of our countries have mutually complemented and enriched their culture, traditions and customs for many centuries. Annually hundreds of students are enrolled in different educational programs through the Indian Economic and Technical Cooperation Program and Council for Cultural Relations. At the moment, 1500 Indian students study medicine in Tajikistan.
Health sector
We think strengthening of healthcare system should be one of priorities not only for Tajikistan, but also for all the countries of Central Asian as cooperation between the countries helped to overcome the coronavirus pandemic crises. India has an advanced system of pharmaceutical sector and it is a large producer of Covid-19 vaccines. In this regard, establishment of joint facilities and enterprises, including medicine production is advocated.
Development of tourism sector
Rich cultural and historical values, as well as natural and recreational opportunities of the Central Asia and India could contribute to the development of tourism sector in the future.
Defense cooperation
Defense cooperation between two countries is based on bilateral agreement and includes military-technical cooperation and assistance in order to strengthen the national capacity and capability of the armed forces of Tajikistan. Both sides are engaged in renovation of existing infrastructure, construction of new facilities and installation of modern equipment. A remarkable bilateral project in this sphere is an Indo-Tajik Friendship Hospital functioning in our country.
Thank you for your attention!
