Two days after China hosted a virtual summit with Central Asian countries, India stepped in, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi advocating for "an integrated approach for regional connectivity and cooperation over the next 30 years."

He also mentioned Afghanistan as a shared concern, saying that "mutual cooperation has become even more important for regional security and stability."

The virtual summit saw the participation of the five presidents — Kazakhstan’s Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, Uzbekistan’s Shavkat Mirziyoyev, Emomali Rahmon of Tajikistan, Turkmenistan’s Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow and Sadyr Japarov of Kyrgyz Republic. This was the first engagement of its kind between India and the Central Asian countries at the level of leaders.

The five presidents — Kazakhstan's Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, Uzbekistan's Shavkat Mirziyoyev, Tajikistan's Emomali Rahmon, Turkmenistan's Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow, and Kyrgyzstan's Sadyr Japarov — took part in the virtual summit. This was the first such engagement at the level of leaders between India and the Central Asian countries. China held a summit with the leaders of Central Asian countries on January 25, at very short notice, after India had announced its summit. China’s President Xi Jinping had offered USD 500 million in assistance to the region and had vouched to strengthen trade with the countries.

On Thursday, Modi emphasized the summit's three main goals.

First, he stated, "it is critical to emphasize that cooperation between India and Central Asia is critical for regional security and prosperity." From an Indian perspective, I would like to emphasize the importance of Central Asia in India's vision of an integrated and stable extended neighborhood."

The second goal, he stated, is to provide "an effective structure to our cooperation." This will lay the groundwork for regular interactions at various levels and among various stakeholders."

And, the third objective is “to create an ambitious roadmap for our cooperation”.

“Through this, we will be able to adopt an integrated approach for regional connectivity and cooperation for the next 30 years,” he said.

The summit exemplifies the importance that the leaders of India and Central Asia place on a comprehensive and long-term India-Central Asia partnership.

The participation of the secretaries of Central Asian countries' National Security Councils in the Regional Security Dialogue on Afghanistan held in New Delhi in November last year outlined a common regional approach to Afghanistan. The summit takes place a day after the Republic Day celebrations, which featured no foreign heads of state or government as the chief guest. The leaders of the five Central Asian countries were expected to be the main guests, but the country saw an increase in COVID-19 cases, which forced celebrations to be canceled. 

Modi emphasised that India and Central Asian countries have had diplomatic relations for 30 years. "Over the last three decades, our collaboration has yielded numerous successes." At this critical juncture, we must also define an ambitious vision for the coming years. "A vision that can meet the aspirations of our people, particularly the younger generation, in an ever-changing world," he said.

Modi also emphasized the significance of each of these countries in this context. 

He expressed condolences for the recent loss of life and property in Kazakhstan, saying that Kazakhstan has become a vital partner for India's energy security.

"Our state governments are also active partners in our growing cooperation with Uzbekistan," he said of Uzbekistan. This includes Gujarat, which is also my home state."

With Kyrgyzstan, he said, “We have an active partnership with Kyrgyzstan in the field of education and high-altitude research. Thousands of Indian students are studying there.”

With Tajikistan, he said, “We have longstanding cooperation in the field of security. And we are continuously strengthening it.” 

And, he added, Turkmenistan "is an important part of Indian vision in the field of regional connectivity, as evidenced by our participation in the Ashgabat Agreement."

According to the MEA, the first India-Central Asia Summit reflects the country's growing engagement with Central Asian countries, which are part of India's "extended neighborhood." 

Modi had paid a visit to all Central Asian countries in 2015. Subsequently, there have been exchanges at high levels at bilateral and multilateral forums.

The inception of the India-Central Asia Dialogue at the Foreign Ministers’ level, the third meeting of which was held in New Delhi from December 18-20, 2021, has provided an impetus to India-Central Asia relations.