CURRENT AFFAIRS

Detailed explanation-1: -Subsequently, there have been exchanges at high-levels at bilateral and multilateral forums. The inception of the India-Central Asia Dialogue at Foreign Ministers’ level, the 3rd meeting of which was held in New Delhi from 18-20 December 2021, has provided an impetus to India-Central Asia relations.

Detailed explanation-2: -India’s ‘Connect Central Asia’ Policy is a broad-based approach, including political, security, economic and cultural connections. The importance of this policy was strengthened when the Prime Minister of India visited all the five countries- Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan- in 2015.

Detailed explanation-3: -It is bounded on the north by Russia and on the south by Iran, Afghanistan, and China. The region consists of the former Soviet republics of Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Turkmenistan.

Detailed explanation-4: -Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi hosted the first India-Central Asia Summit in virtual format on 27 January 2022, which was attended by Presidents of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Republic of Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Republic of Uzbekistan.

Detailed explanation-5: -Central Asia as we know today comprises of five countries – Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan. The region was part of India’s ‘Extended Neighbourhood’ foreign policy enunciated in 2001, along with South Asia and SE Asia.