Narendra Modi leaves on Central Asia, Russia visit

“I was very encouraged by the interaction at the Business Roundtable”.

In an address to indologists, PM referred the importance of Hindi.

“Kazakhstan is our biggest economic partner in the region”. It developed a northern supply route as an alternative to the southern one via Pakistan for supplies to its troops in Afghanistan.

Terming Modi’s visit to Central Asia a “landmark” event to revitalise our ancient links with the region, the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) estimated that trade with the five Central Asian countries of Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan can grow manifold from the small base of Dollars 1.4 billion now. This will be the first formal meeting between the two leaders after May 2014.

Central Asian countries – particularly Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan – are home to vast amounts of oil and natural gas reserves. The institution’s board of governors will hold its first meeting in Moscow to appoint members of the board of directors and the management. However, the Indian premier’s main task there will be to make counter-economic offers in order to corner China (and Pakistan) in their own backyards and also to give the five “Stans” a chance to explore the Indian market. Sharif is also expected to attend SCO Summit.

Both Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan are keen to have India on board the CASA 1000 project, under which the hydropower energy of the two countries can be tapped.

He also noted that the confluence of Indian and Islamic civilisations took place in Central Asia and enriched each other not only in spiritual thought but also in medicine, science, mathematics and astronomy.

With the BRICS Development Bank already set up, the Summit could look at the possibility of starting credit facility in local currency.

“Our economic ties are strong and our cultural ties are vibrant”.

“They hope that these initiatives will serve as the basis for enhanced economic and commercial interaction between the two countries in the days ahead”.

While Central Asia does not, geographically, factor into Modi’s famed “Act East” policy it seems he is nonetheless intent on giving the region a little more attention.

The BRICS has become an important platform for exchanges and cooperation among the world’s major emerging economies. It is a great forum that can contribute effectively to mitigate global challenges.

Addressing a gathering at the Nazerbayev University, the Prime Minister said, “We live at the frontier of instability. Calls it spiritual heritage of India”, he tweeted. Describing technology as a means to discover, learn, evolve and implement, Prime Minister said that technology empowers the less empowered and said that it combines 3Ss- speed, simplicity and service.