January 27, Prime Minister Modi to host the inaugural India-Central Asia Summit virtually

According to the Ministry of External Affairs, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will host the first meeting of the India-Central Asia Summit on January 27. The India-Central Asia Summit's first meeting will be held virtually, with Prime Minister Modi hosting it.

The presidents of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan will attend the inaugural India-Central Asia summit, according to a statement released by the MEA.

According to the statement, the summit will be the first of its type between India and Central Asian countries at the level of presidents.

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

In 2015, Prime Minister Modi made a historic trip to all of Central Asia. Following then, there have been high-level discussions at bilateral and multilateral venues.

The third round of the India-Central Asia Dialogue, which took place in New Delhi from December 18-20, 2021, has given a boost to India-Central Asia relations, according to the MEA.

The involvement of the secretaries of Central Asian national security councils at the Regional Security Dialogue on Afghanistan, which took place in New Delhi on November 10, 2021, outlined a shared regional approach to Afghanistan.

"During the first India-Central Asia Summit, the Leaders are expected to discuss steps to take forward India-Central Asia relations to newer heights. They are also expected to exchange views on regional and international issues of interest, especially the evolving regional security situation," the Ministry of external affairs said.

According to the MEA, the summit symbolizes the importance of a comprehensive and long-term India-Central Asian collaboration to the leaders of India and Central Asia.