NEW DELHI: While underscoring India’s zero-tolerance policy against terrorism, external affairs minister S Jaishankar in bilateral meetings with his visiting Central Asian counterparts called for firmly countering terrorism in the region. Jaishankar had bilateral meetings with the foreign ministers of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan ahead of the 4th India-Central Asia Dialogue that will take place on Friday.The minister thanked his counterparts for expressing solidarity with India on the issue of terrorism and for condemning the menace in all its forms and manifestations. Jaishankar also discussed ways to ramp up trade, investment and connectivity between India and Central Asia.“Appreciated his reaffirmation of zero tolerance for terrorism. Discussed various facets of our Strategic Partnership focusing on political, trade, investment and energy cooperation. Also spoke about widening connectivity with the Central Asia region,” said the minister after a meeting with his Kazakhstan counterpart Murat Nurtleu.Similarly, after a meeting with Rashid Meredov of Turkmenistan, Jaishankar appreciated a warm exchange on deepening cooperation, particularly in trade, investment, connectivity, health and energy sectors. “Welcome his strong condemnation of terrorism in all its forms and manifestations,” he said.Speaking at a India-Central Asia business event, the minister said that while mutual trade was less than $500 million a decade ago, it had now shot up to nearly $2 billion. “However, this figure does not reflect the full potential. The need to address this is today even more urgent because of the uncertainties of the international economy and this requires govts and businesses to work together in tandem,” he said.
