The second session of the India - Central Asia dialogue, which brought together the heads of the ministries of foreign Affairs of the Central Asian countries and India, was held today via videoconference.

Turkmenistan was represented by Rashid Meredov, the Republic of Kazakhstan - Mukhtar Tleuberdi, the Kyrgyz Republic-Ruslan Kazakbayev, the Republic of Tajikistan-Sirodjiddin Muhriddin and the Republic of Uzbekistan-Abdulaziz Kamilov. The meeting was chaired by Indian Foreign Minister Subramanyam Jaishankar. Acting foreign Minister of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan Mohammad Hanif Atmar attended the meeting as a special guest.

During the meeting, the most relevant areas of cooperation were discussed, and views were exchanged on regional and international issues of mutual interest. Special emphasis was placed on expanding partnership with the UN and other international organizations.

Turkmenistan stressed its resolute position in promoting the peace process in the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, including promoting the socio-economic reconstruction of the neighboring state. The construction of a gas pipeline on the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India route, fiber-optic communication lines and railway branches with access to the territory of Afghanistan, as well as the importance of transit corridors using land, rail and sea transport and infrastructure were highlighted.

The issue of developing the transit and transport potential of the Central Asian countries and India, including promoting joint initiatives to create regional and international transport corridors, was discussed in particular.

They expressed interest in further expanding trade and economic cooperation, and discussed cooperation in the energy, gas and chemical industries, transport, communications, high technologies, and agriculture.

They also considered building up direct contacts between the business circles of India and Central Asian countries. In this context, the Ministers welcomed the establishment of the India-Central Asia Business Council in new Delhi in February 2020.

The sides also discussed cooperation in the humanitarian sphere, noting the common historical and cultural values that link the Central Asian countries and India, and placing special emphasis on holding joint events in the fields of education and culture, the state news Agency of Turkmenistan reports.