New Delhi, June 6 (UNI) India and the five Central Asian countries today unequivocally condemned the terrorist attack in Pahalgam, and reaffirmed their firm commitment to fight against terrorism in all its forms and manifestations.

In a joint statement, issued after the 4th meeting of the India-Central Asia Dialogue held in New Delhi today, under the chairship of External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, the countries reiterated that providing safe haven, using terrorist proxies for cross-border terrorism, terror financing, arms and drugs trafficking, dissemination of a radical ideology and abuse of cyber space to spread disinformation and incite violence, goes against the basic principles of humanity and international relations.

They stressed that perpetrators, organisers, financiers and sponsors of terrorist acts must be held accountable and brought to justice.

In this context, they called for early adoption of the UN Comprehensive Convention on International

Terrorism.

They also stressed the need to strengthen UN-led global counter-terrorism cooperation and fully implement the relevant UNSC resolutions, Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy and FATF standards.

The participating ministers at the dialogue include: FM Sirojiddin Muhriddin of Tajikistan, Deputy PM and FM Murat Nurtleu of Kazakhstan, FM Zheenbek Kulubaev of Kyrgyz Republic, FM Rashid Meredov of Turkmenistan and FM Bakhtiyor Saidov of Uzbekistan.

The Ministers appreciated the First meeting of the India-Central Asia Joint Working Group on Chabahar Port held in Mumbai in April 2023. India welcomed the interest of Central Asian countries to utilise the services of the Shahid Beheshti Terminal, being operated by India, at the Chabahar Port for facilitating their trade with India and beyond.

They agreed to continue engagement for further developing the transit and transport potential of their countries, through simplification and streamlining of goods transit procedures, including greater use of TIR Carnet between India and Central Asia for movement of goods.

The ministers underlined the importance of greater financial connectivity between India and Central Asian countries, including through digital payment systems, enhanced interbank relations, and trade in national currencies to encourage greater trade, investment, tourism and people-to-people exchanges.

They also expressed interest in setting up a Joint Working Group to explore ways to further deepen banking and financial connectivity between India and Central Asian partners.

The Ministers emphasised optimum usage of the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC) to enhance connectivity between India and the Central Asian countries. They stressed that connectivity initiatives should be based on the principles of transparency, broad participation, local priorities, financial sustainability, respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries.

India reiterated its support for the membership of Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan in INSTC. In this context, Ministers appreciated the initiative taken by Kazakhstan to develop the eastern branch of INSTC.

The Ministers noted the importance of holding regular consultations among the National Security Councils of India and the Central Asian countries to strengthen efforts to counter terrorism and other emerging challenges in the region. They looked forward to the third edition of the Consultations to be held in the Kyrgyz Republic.

They also expressed interest in joint exploration of rare earth and critical minerals. Appreciating the outcomes of the first India-Central Asia Rare Earth Forum held in September 2024 in New Delhi, they called for holding the second India-Central Asia Rare Earth Forum meeting at the earliest convenience. They also encouraged exchange of delegations to explore new areas of cooperation in critical minerals.

Earlier, EAM Jaishankar in a post on X said he expressed India’s appreciation of the Central Asian partners condemning the heinous terrorist attack in Pahalgam.

“Delighted to chair the 4th India-Central Asia Dialogue in Delhi this morning.

“Thank my Central Asian colleagues DPM & FM Murat Nurtleu, Deputy Chairman & FM Rashid Meredov, FM Zheenbek Kulubaev, FM Sirojiddin Muhriddin and @FM_Saidov for their assessments and views.

“Expressed India’s appreciation on Central Asian partners condemning the heinous terrorist attack in Pahalgam.

“Held productive and wide-ranging discussions on themes of connectivity, regional security & terrorism, technology cooperation, development partnership and people-to-people exchanges.

“Confident that our deliberations today would lead to forging an even closer and deeper India-Central Asia partnership.”

UNI RN