The Foreign Ministers of Central Asian countries today conveyed the greetings of their Presidents to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and emphasised the readiness of their leadership to further strengthen relations with India.

Ministers of Foreign Affairs from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan called on PM Modi in Delhi on Monday after the conclusion of the third meeting of the India-Central Asia Dialogue.

They briefed the Prime Minister on the deliberations of the India-Central Asia Dialogue held under the chairmanship of External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, which focused on trade and connectivity, development partnership and regional developments, including the situation in Afghanistan.

PM Modi spoke on the importance that India attaches to its long-standing relations with Central Asian countries, which are part of its 'extended neighbourhood'. He conveyed his felicitations to the ministers on the 30th anniversary of their independence this year.

The Prime Minister also recalled his memorable visits to all Central Asian countries in 2015 and subsequently to Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and the Kyrgyz Republic.

He underlined the importance of maintaining cultural and people-to-people contacts between India and Central Asia, given the popularity of Indian films, music, yoga, etc in the region. He also underscored the potential of enhanced economic cooperation between India and Central Asia, and the role of connectivity in that regard.

India and the Central Asian countries will mark the 30th anniversary of the establishment of their diplomatic relations next year.

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