Connectivity With The Central Asian Countries Remains A Key Priority For India: President Kovind

Connectivity with the Central Asian countries remains a key priority for India, said President, Ram Nath Kovind.  He made the remarks while he was addressing students at the Institute of International Relations in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan on Sunday. The President said that India is a member of both the International North-South Transport Corridor, and the Ashgabat Agreement.

The President said that India’s foreign policy has been constantly evolving since its independence. India’s emergence as one of the major economies of the world and the relevance of India’s technological capabilities has shaped key global negotiations. India’s partnerships with countries of the Global South have grown substantially while its relations with major powers have deepened further.

The President said that one of the key pillars of India’s foreign policy in recent years has been the “Neighbourhood First” policy.

“The overarching philosophy of India’s engagement with its neighbours is to ensure that they also benefit from our economic development and growth. Thus, the focus of Neighbourhood First policy is to enhance connectivity, augment trade and investment, and build a secure and stable neighbourhood,” said the President.

He said that while ‘Indo-Pacific’ is a recent addition to the geopolitical lexicon, India’s engagement with the Indo-Pacific region goes back several centuries. The dynamism and vitality of the region makes it a global economic centre.

The President said that one of the focus areas of Indian foreign policy in the last few years has been the revitalization of our historical ties with the Central Asian countries, which are a part of our ‘extended neighbourhood’. As developing countries, India and Central Asian countries share common perspectives and similar approaches.

“We face common challenges such as terrorism, extremism, radicalization, drug trafficking etc. India has also strategic relations with most of the Central Asian countries,” said President Kovind.

Speaking about ongoing conflict in Ukraine, the President said that India’s position on this issue has been steadfast and consistent.

“We are deeply concerned about the worsening humanitarian situation. We have called for immediate cessation of violence and hostilities and return to the path of dialogue and diplomacy. We have also provided humanitarian assistance to Ukraine,” said President Kovind.

The President said that the United Nations remains the most universal and representative international organization. At the core of India’s call for reformed multilateralism lies the reform of the UN Security Council, to reflect the contemporary realities. In this context, India values the support of Turkmenistan for our permanent membership in a reformed and expanded UN Security Council.

The President said that as Turkmenistan marches ahead in the ‘Era of people with Arkadag’, India, as a longstanding friend, stands ready to partner with it to realize the collective dreams of our people.   He expressed hope that his visit to Turkmenistan would impart a new momentum to further promote partnership between the two countries.