First India-Central Asia summit to be held in video format

The first India-Central Asia summit will take place on January 27 in a virtual format, Report informs, citing TASS that this was announced by the Indian Foreign Ministry.

"Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will hold the first India-Central Asia summit with the participation of the presidents of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan in a virtual format on January 27, 2022," the Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

As the Indian Foreign Ministry said, "the first India-Central Asia summit will be a reflection of the growing interaction between New Delhi and the regional countries".

At the meeting "the leaders will discuss steps to move relations between India and the Central Asian nations to a new level". "They will also exchange views on regional and international issues of mutual interest, especially those relating to regional security issues," the Indian Foreign Ministry said.

The leaders of the Central Asian nations were supposed to be guests of honor at the military parade to mark Republic Day on January 26, New Delhi even sent appropriate invitations to the presidents of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. However, the plans were later canceled amid the worsening coronavirus situation.