On January 27, PM Modi will host India – Central Asia Summit. The five central Asian presidents will attend the summit. They are Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyz republic.

About the summit

• This is first India – Central Asia Summit. The summit is to be held virtually. India has been planning to hold the summit since Modi’s visit to these central Asian countries in 2015.
• During the summit, the leaders re expected to exchange their views on international and regional issues. They are expected to mainly focus on security issues.

Significance of the Summit

• The countries share their boundaries with Afghanistan. Afghanistan was taken over by Taliban after the US left Afghan soil in August 2021. This left Indian developmental works in Afghanistan incomplete. Also, the Indian investments made towards the development of Afghanistan went in vain.
• Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Kyrgyz republic share their boundaries with China. India is now involved in 21 – month standoff with China.

Inference

The summit reflects the growing engagement of India with the central Asian countries. They are extended neighbourhood of India.