Dushanbe, June 12: India’s Minister of State for External Affairs, Kirti Vardhan Singh, reaffirmed India’s commitment to partnerships with Central Asia and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) during a conference held in Dushanbe, Tajikistan. The event, themed “Central Asia – The Core of SCO: A Space of Peace and Joint Development,” highlighted India’s priorities within the organization.
Minister Singh expressed, “On behalf of the people and government of India, I extend my best wishes. This year marks the 25th anniversary of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization. It is indeed a perfect opportunity to reflect on our achievements and address the ongoing challenges in the world order. It is particularly important that the two major decision-making bodies, the Council of Heads of State and the Council of Heads of Government, are chaired by Central Asian countries, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan.”
He emphasized that this occasion is not only a celebration of the organization’s successes but also a chance to shape its future direction under Central Asian leadership. The SCO has a long-standing history, serving as a region where civilizations have thrived, engaged, competed, learned from one another, and collectively advanced human progress. For centuries, our peoples have exchanged not just goods and services but also ideas, knowledge, culture, and values.
Minister Singh stated, “For India, the SCO is not just a regional group. It is a vital link connecting us to our historical and civilizational partners in Eurasia. Our approach to cooperation within the SCO is guided by Prime Minister Modi’s framework of security, connectivity, and opportunity. This vision places Central Asia at its core, acting as a crucial node for enhancing regional connectivity and promoting greater economic integration. It is equally important that we are fully committed to fighting all forms of terrorism in collaboration with our friends in Central Asia.”
He later took to social media platform X to share, “Participated in the SCO conference in Dushanbe, Tajikistan, on ‘Central Asia – The Core of SCO: A Space of Peace and Joint Development.’ Reaffirmed India’s commitment to our enduring partnership with Central Asia and the SCO, emphasizing priorities such as youth participation, cultural exchanges, regional connectivity, and civilizational ties. India will host the first SCO Civilizational Dialogue Forum next month in Kolkata.”
After meeting with Tajikistan’s Foreign Minister, Minister Singh wrote on X, “It was a pleasure to meet with Tajikistan’s Foreign Minister, Sirojidin Muhriddin, in Dushanbe. We reviewed the full spectrum of India-Tajikistan relations and discussed ways to strengthen cooperation in mutually beneficial areas. I requested high-level participation from Tajikistan at the upcoming SCO Civilizational Dialogue in Kolkata next month, reaffirming our longstanding friendship and strategic partnership.”
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