India will host 5 Central Asian foreign ministers on December 18-19 for the third edition of this kind of discussion. The discussions consider significance amid the developments in Afghanistan, with both India and the Central Asian countries worried over threats from terror and radicalisation. Engagement with Central Asia is necessary not only for the fight against terrorism and radicals but also to highlight India’s Eurasian stakes.

The strong bond between India and the former Soviet Union has contributed to India’s growing ties with the Central Asian countries. The first edition of the discussions was held in Samarkhand in 2019, and the second was held virtually last year. India has given $1 billion in credit for priority development projects in sectors like connectivity, energy, IT, healthcare, education and agriculture in Central Asia.

India has also offered to grant support to execute high-impact community development projects (HICDP). At the 2020 meeting, the ministers had criticised terrorism and discussed the need to end terrorist safe-havens, networks, infrastructure and funding channels. They also highlighted the necessity for every country to make sure that its region is not used to launch terrorist attacks on other countries. The ministers had highlighted the efforts to increase trade and economic cooperation, including promoting the businesses of India and the Central Asian countries.