PM Narendra Modi interacts with indologists in Tashkent

Earlier, Modi held talks with his Kazakh counterpart Karim Massimov after his arrival here on Tuesday from Uzbekistan on the second leg of his Central Asian tour. Other experts say this is merely because the Narendra Modi-government chose to reinvent GDP calculations by ignoring classical macro-economic indicators to suit its goal.

The CII said major areas of opportunity for India in Central Asia include oil and gas, minerals and metals, agricultural products, pharmaceuticals, textiles and chemicals. But the country still remains a minor player in the region, particularly when it comes to commerce.

Modi and Karimov also discussed ways to boost connectivity and trade on uranium supplies to India.

Yet, we will be the first to say that the engagement between India and Central Asia falls short of its promise and potential. And Indian private sector investments in the region amounted to a mere $29 million.

India will expand cooperation in capacity building through increase in the number of training offers in India. He was due to inaugurate a Centre of Excellence in Astana with a supercomputer from India later in the India.

“India and Kazakhstan are cooperating in a wide range of sectors including energy and space”.

“India is at the crossroads of Asia’s land and sea routes”. The Summit of BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa), the important economies across the world, will focus on discussions on enhancing cooperation in economic field, including the possibility of trade in local currency.

On security cooperation, the joint statement said both sides expressed their intention to strengthen coordination between the law enforcement agencies and special services of the two countries, including under the framework of the Uzbekistan-India Joint Working Group on Counter-Terrorism.

In recent years, India and Uzbekistan have built a strategic partnership on the foundation of mutual respect and shared interests.

Meanwhile, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley is also visiting Russian Federation for four days to take part in the meetings of BRICS finance ministers and central bank governors. Along with this, he would also interact with the members of the Indian community and the students learning Hindi.

“They agreed to continue their active engagement in the fight against terrorism and extremism including exchange of information”, it said. “The rise of the Islamic State in the region and the unfolding instability in Afghanistan have made such cooperation an urgent need”, argued Raja Mohan. “They look at India as a country that does not aspire for influence in the region and a relevant partner in fighting these problems emanating from Afghanistan”.

Asserting that he has come to write a “new chapter in an ancient relationship”, Modi said,”the Islamic heritage of both India and Central Asia is defined by the highest ideals of Islam – knowledge, piety, compassion and welfare”.