Jaishankar Discusses Threats Of Terrorism, Trade With Central Asia Counterparts
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and his counterparts also held discussions on enhancing trade, investment, connectivity and development and energy cooperation.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Thursday emphasised on joint efforts to counter terrorism and bolster trade and investment in bilateral meetings with his counterparts from Central Asian countries on Thursday.
India is hosting the fourth edition of Central Asia Dialogue to forge a closer, wider and stronger partnership with the region. Foreign ministers of Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan are attending the conclave to be held in Delhi on Friday. Ahead of the dialogue, Jaishankar held separate meetings with his counterparts.
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Kazakh foreign minister Murat Nurtleu, Tajik foreign minister Sirojiddin Muhriddin, Kyrgyz foreign minister Zheenbek Kulubaev and Turkmenistan foreign minister Rashid Meredov denounced terrorism during their discussions with Jaishankar, reported Hindustan Times.
In a social media post, Jaishankar welcomed the visiting leader’s “strong condemnation" of terrorism in all its forms and manifestations.
“Delighted to meet FM Rashid Meredov of Turkmenistan. A warm exchange on deepening our cooperation, particularly in trade, investment, connectivity, health and energy sectors. Welcome his strong condemnation of terrorism in all its forms and manifestations," Jaishankar said in a post on X.
Delighted to meet FM Rashid Meredov of Turkmenistan.A warm exchange on deepening our cooperation, particularly in trade, investment, connectivity, health and energy sectors.
Welcome his strong condemnation of terrorism in all its forms and manifestations.
🇮🇳 🇹🇲 pic.twitter.com/eHrwDsv6w2
— Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) June 5, 2025
Pleased to meet @FM_Saidov of the Republic of Uzbekistan.Spoke about the common challenge of terrorism for our regions.
Also discussed our cooperation in connectivity, investment, trade and energy sectors.
Concluded a Program of Cooperation, reflective of our commitment to… pic.twitter.com/QKpRq8viTj
— Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) June 5, 2025
During the meeting with Kulubaev, Jaishankar thanked him for Kyrgyzstan’s “support and solidarity in countering terrorism". He also appreciated Nurtleu’s “reaffirmation of zero tolerance for terrorism".
Jaishankar and his counterparts also held discussions on enhancing trade, investment, connectivity and development and energy cooperation.
Later at the meeting of India-Central Asia Business Council, Jaishankar touched upon various business opportunities and complementarities between these respective economies. He suggested a few areas where India and Central Asian countries should collaborate to improve their economies.
“The presence of Indian and Central Asian business participants in such significant numbers today is a sure indicator of mutual interest in forging stronger B2B ties between India and Central Asian nations," he said, referring to the gathering of Central Asian leaders.
India-Central Asia Business Council was established in 2020 under the India-Central Asia Dialogue framework to facilitate regional trade. Jaishankar suggested a need to deepen the existing cooperation, both in terms of volume and quality.
The EAM also called for diversification of trade baskets so that India and Central Asian countries have more options.
“We have more competition, and in a way we are looking for new opportunities, and I would like our friends from Central Asian economies to appreciate that an economy today which is bigger, which is in excess of USD 4 trillion which is growing at 6-8 per cent annually, it will create new demands for products, for services, and you know, even I would say in a way new demands out of more prosperous lifestyles," he said.
As cross-border digital payments are transforming worldwide, Jaishankar, referring to digital public infrastructure such as UPI, said India is willing to partner with Central Asian countries.
“Certainly, greater use of digital technologies and AI applications will help us unlock the full potential of our trade and economic ties, and I would also add that it will be a great help to our tourists, to our students, to our medical travellers," he said.
(With inputs from agencies)
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