First virtual India-Central Asia summit for tade held

The first ever virtual India-Central Asia Summit was held to strengthen the ties between the participant countries. The focal point of the agenda was to cement the trade links and connectivity through the Chabahar Port in Iran. The Port is being developed by India and will be crucial in providing sea-land access to the landlocked Central Asian countries along with the INSTC. The plan is to develop Joint Working Groups (JWGs) at the Port for free movement of goods and services between India and the Central Asian countries. India also proposed to include the Turkmenbashi Port within the framework of the INSTC.
Addressing the summit, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, “The Summit revolved around three main objectives. First, to make it clear that cooperation between India and Central Asia is essential for regional security and prosperity. From the Indian point of view, I would like to emphasise that Central Asia is central to India’s vision of an integrated and stable extended neighbourhood. The second objective is to give an effective structure to our cooperation. This will establish a framework of regular interactions at different levels and among various stakeholders. And the third objective is to create an ambitious roadmap for our cooperation.”