In a joint statement adopted at the end of the 3rd India-Central Asia Dialogue, the foreign ministers wanted connectivity initiatives to be based on transparency, broad participation, local priorities, financial sustainability and respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity.
The ministers also condemned terrorism in all its forms and manifestations and reiterated that providing safe havens, using terrorist proxies for cross-border terrorism and terror financing went against the basic principles of humanity and international relations.
They also wanted perpetrators to be held accountable and brought to justice in accordance with principle of “extradite or prosecute”.
The ministers emphasized that interaction in the fields of defense and security constitutes an important element of India-Central Asia cooperation. In this regard, they noted the importance of holding regular consultations among the National Security Councils of India and the Central Asian countries in the fight against terrorism and other emerging challenges in the region.
They welcomed the proposal to include Chabahar Port (a seaport located in southeastern Iran – Asia-Plus) within the International North South International Corridor (INSTC) and flagged their interest in using Shahid Beheshti Terminal at Chabahar Port for trade with India and beyond.
They decided to continue providing humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan and spoke against the country being used for planning terrorist acts and called for concerted action against all terrorist groups.
They also sought an inclusive government, central role of the UN in providing humanitarian assistance and preserving the rights of women, children and other national ethnic groups.
The sides also noted the need for continued large-scale and long-term economic cooperation between Central Asian countries and India in order to strengthen and expand interconnectivity.
The ministers underlined that the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) plays a constructive role in securing peace and sustainable development, advancing regional cooperation and consolidating ties of good-neighborliness and mutual trust. They emphasized the importance of further strengthening the Organization’s potential with a view to promote political, security, economic cooperation and people-to-people exchanges.
