India and four Central Asian nations on Thursday reiterated the need for enhanced regional cooperation to tackle terrorism, radicalisation, and drug trafficking, while underlining the importance of stability in Afghanistan during the 3rd meeting of the Secretaries of the Security Council/National Security Advisers (NSAs) in Bishkek, Kyrgyz Republic.
National Security Adviser Ajit Doval led the Indian delegation at the multilateral meeting, which saw participation from his counterparts in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, and Uzbekistan, while Tajikistan was represented at the level of Deputy Secretary of its Security Council.
During the meeting, the Secretaries of the Security Council and National Security Advisers underscored the need for sustained dialogue in light of the evolving regional and global security landscape. They explored avenues for deeper cooperation in combating terrorism, radicalisation, extremism, and narcotics trafficking.
Emphasising the critical importance of peace and stability in Afghanistan, the participants agreed to engage more closely with Kabul on addressing security concerns, as well as on initiatives related to connectivity and economic development — seen as essential for long-term regional stability. The NSAs also agreed to prioritise enhanced connectivity between India and Central Asian nations, while expanding their cooperation to include emerging domains such as digital infrastructure, artificial intelligence, and space technology.
The scope of cooperation under this format is set to expand, with the NSAs agreeing to explore collaboration in areas such as digital connectivity, artificial intelligence, infrastructure, and space technologies — sectors seen as critical for future regional engagement.
On the sidelines of the meeting, Doval, along with the Central Asian security officials, called on Kyrgyz President Sadyr Zhaparov. He also held bilateral discussions with the security council heads of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, and Uzbekistan.
The third iteration of the India-Central Asia NSA-level dialogue builds on the consensus reached at the first India-Central Asia Summit held on January 27, 2022. Previous meetings under this format were held in New Delhi (December 6, 2022) and Astana (October 23, 2023).
The Bishkek meeting also follows the 4th India-Central Asia Foreign Ministers’ Meeting held in New Delhi on June 6.
India has consistently engaged with Central Asian countries on issues of mutual strategic interest, with the NSA-level dialogue emerging as a key platform for regional security cooperation.