On October 17, 2023, the National Security Adviser of India, Ajit Doval at the NSA Conclave of India, and Central Asian countries held in the Central Asian country of Kazakhstan slammed and criticized Pakistan for blocking India’s land access to Central Asia and China for dubious conditions for connectivity projects saying that the country’s initiatives should be consultative, transparent, and participatory. This is the second meeting of the India-Central Asia NSAs with the first meeting was held in New Delhi in December 2022.
Participating Countries
The national security advisors and secretaries of the National Security Councils of the Republic of India, Republic of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Republic of Tajikistan, and the Republic of Uzbekistan participated in the meeting. Turkmenistan was represented in the meeting by the Embassy of Astana
Ajit Doval on Pakistan and China
Doval highlighted the connectivity and economic integration with Central Asian countries is a key priority for India. Such initiatives should respect the territorial integrity and sovereignty of all countries with an apparent reference of the Chinese Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). Adding further he said “They should also adhere to environmental parameters, ensure financial viability and not become debt burdens,” the NSA added.
Pakistan does not allow India land access to even Afghanistan. The only case o exemption came when the Taliban returned to power after the US forces left Afghanistan in 2021, when it allowed India to send 50,000 tons of wheat to the drought hit country.
The absence of direct land access between India and Central Asia and India is an anomaly, he said which is a result of a conscious policy of denial by a particular country-Pakistan. This is not only self-defeating for this country, but it also reduces the collective wellbeing of the entire region, the NSA said.
India-Central Asia Cultural Link
He said the strongest bond between Indian and Central Asia is the extensive cultural linkage and people-to-people ties. India will organise a seminar in India between leading scholars and Ulemas from India and the Central Asian countries, Doval added. This will facilitate a deeper understanding of the history and context of Islam and its role in fostering peaceful coexistence and social harmony in today’s complicated world. The region of Central Asia is an “extended neighbourhood” for India
On Iran, Afghanistan
The NSA also invited the Central Asian countries to utilize the Chahbahar Port in Iran and its terminal operated by the Indian company for maritime trade.
Describing the lack of land connectivity between India and Central Asia, the resource rich region where China is building its influence as an anomaly. India is a member of the INSTC (International North-South Transport Corridor and the Ashgabat Agreement and this is why it is urging Central Asian Regions to be a part of the port.
Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan are all set to join the INSTC and very soon the rest of the three republics will join the project.
As far as Afghanistan is concerned, he said that situation in the country remains a cause of concern and the immediate priorities should be providing humanitarian assistance and ensuring the formation of a truly inclusive and representative government.
Terrorism, Cyber Threats
Doval stressed on phenomenon of terrorism and said that terrorism in all its forms and manifestations continues to constitute one of the most serious threats to international peace and justice and security and any act of terrorism regardless of its motivation and cause is totally unjustifiable.
He added that the meeting is being held when the world is experiencing and witnessing greater challenges, and added that dialogue is the only answer to settle all disputes and differences. “Diplomacy must be the centre of all conflict resolution initiatives,” he said.
He also offered fully funding capacity building programmes in a wide range of areas to the participating nations such as access to technologies like the Unified Payments Interface (UPI)
India will work closely with Central Asian States to help them build defences against cyber threats and create a secure cyber ecosystem, Doval said. The NSA invited heads of Cyber Security Agencies of the Central Asian countries for strategic cyber experiences since capacity building and sharing of experiences are the cornerstone for building cooperation in this area.
