Terror networks in Afghanistan remain a concern: Ajit Doval

What’s in today’s article?

• Why in News?
• Central Asian Countries – About, significance
• News Summary

Why in News?

• For the first time, India hosted a conclave of top security officials of Central Asia with a focus on the evolving security situation in Afghanistan and ways to deal with threat of terrorism emanating from that country.

What countries are in Central Asia?

• The Central Asia region (CA) comprises the countries of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan.
• The region extends from the Caspian Sea in the west to the border of western China in the east.
  • It is bounded on the north by Russia and on the south by Iran, Afghanistan, and China.

Image Caption: Central Asia Countries

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What is the significance of Central Asia for India?

• Energy Security –
  • Central Asia contains vast hydrocarbon fields and Uranium reserve.
  • With India projected to become ever more reliant on imported energy, cultivating alternative sources of energy has become a vital concern.
• Geostrategic Importance –
  • Being placed in the middle of the Eurasian Continent, Central Asia is one of the most convenient routes of transit.
• Commercial Interest –
  • Both India and Central Asia have economic complementarity in terms of resources, manpower and markets.
• Geopolitical Interest –
  • Today, Europe, US, China, and Iran are trying to increase their influence in this region. All this is likely to bring in high-stakes power politics in Central Asia.
• Internal Security –
  • India sees this region as a source of religious extremism and is concerned to check the rise of radical Islamist groups which may present a terrorist threat.
  • These security concerns are compounded by the proliferation of drug-trafficking in Central Asia.

News Summary

• The first India-Central Asia meeting of the National Security Advisers (NSAs) was held recently in New Delhi.
• This meeting was the outcome of the India-Central Asia virtual summit held in January this year.
  • In this meeting, PM Modi hosted leaders of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan.
  • Participating leaders had agreed to have security chiefs meet on a regular basis to discuss India’s “extended neighbourhood.”

Key highlights

• Current situation in Afghanistan was discussed
  • The participating leaders discussed the current situation in Afghanistan and its impact on the security and stability of the region.
  • A joint communique, issued at the end of the meeting,
    • reiterated strong support for a peaceful, stable and secure Afghanistan,
    • emphasized respect for its sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity and urged non-interference in its internal affairs.
• On connectivity
  • India highlighted the fact that the Central Asian countries remain a key priority for India to invest and build connectivity in the region.
  • The joint communique said that connectivity initiatives should be based on principles of transparency, and respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries.
    • Analysts view this statement as a tacit endorsement of New Delhi’s views on China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).
  • The joint communique emphasized the role that Chabahar Port played during the humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan.
  • It also highlighted the immense potential of the Port in enhancing trade and connectivity, as well as the logistics infrastructure of the Central Asian countries in the delivery of humanitarian goods to the Afghan people by international organizations.
    • Prior to the fall of Kabul to Taliban, New Delhi had delivered 100,000 tonnes of wheat and medicines to Afghanistan via the sea route to Chabahar port’s Shahid Beheshti terminal that was developed by India.
    • However, in the past year, India has used the land route via Pakistan to send humanitarian aid to Afghanistan.
  • The participants supported India’s proposal to include the Chabahar port within the framework of the International North-South Transport Corridor.
    • The corridor connects Iran to Russia via Central Asia.
• Emphasized on the need for collective and coordinated action
  • The conference also spoke about the need for collective and coordinated action against:
    • the misuse of new and emerging technologies, arms and drugs trafficking,
    • using terrorist proxies for cross-border terrorism,
    • abuse of cyber space to spread disinformation and unmanned aerial systems.

Significance of the meeting: India’s emphasis on dialogue diplomacy

• This was the first time India hosted a conclave of top security officials from Central Asian countries.
  • It coincided with the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between India and Central Asian countries
• In November 2021, India hosted a regional dialogue on the Afghanistan situation that was attended by NSAs of Russia, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan.
• The NSAs will be meeting again under the rubric of Shanghai Cooperation Organization in India next year as well.
• This highlights India’s emphasis on dialogue diplomacy to foster peace and stability in the region.

Q1) Where is Chabahar port situated?

Chabahar Port is located off the Gulf of Oman in Iran’s southeastern province of Sistan-Baluchistan.

Q2) What is International North South Transport Corridor?

It is a 7,200-km multi-modal transport corridor that combines road, rail and maritime routes connecting Russia and India via Central Asia and Iran. It links the Indian Ocean to the Caspian Sea via the Persian Gulf onwards into Russia and Northern Europe.