Mali attacks: Militants strike Bamako and regional towns as explosions and gunfire reported
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India will host the foreign ministers of five Central Asian countries on June 5–6 for the latest round of the “India–Central Asia” Foreign Ministers' Meeting, a key platform aimed at deepening strategic, economic, and regional cooperation.
The forum will convene top diplomats from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan in New Delhi, marking a significant in-person engagement following the inaugural India–Central Asia Summit held virtually in January 2022 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
In advance of the gathering, Kirti Vardhan Singh, India’s Minister of State for External Affairs and Minister of State for Environment, Forest, and Climate Change, has been touring the Central Asian republics to reinforce bilateral ties and prepare the ground for high-level discussions.
Focus Areas and Strategic Importance
The meeting is expected to address a broad spectrum of priorities, including:
Alongside the ministerial dialogue, the “India–Central Asia Business Forum” will take place on June 5, serving as the premier institutional platform for promoting trade, investment, and private sector engagement. Launched in 2020, the forum has helped foster greater economic alignment between India and the resource-rich Central Asian region.
Strengthening Multilateral Ties
The first India–Central Asia Summit, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2022, resulted in the adoption of the Delhi Declaration, which emphasized a shared commitment to sustainable development, peace, and long-term regional partnership. This week’s meetings are expected to build on that foundation, with new initiatives and cooperation agreements likely to be discussed.
India’s growing outreach to Central Asia aligns with its “Connect Central Asia” policy, launched in 2012, and comes amid intensified geopolitical competition for influence in the region, particularly from China, Russia, and the United States.
The meetings in New Delhi are poised to reaffirm India’s role as a reliable partner for Central Asia’s economic diversification, infrastructure development, and regional integration.
The U.S. military is redirecting at least three Iranian-flagged tankers after intercepting them in Asian waters near India, Malaysia and Sri Lanka, shipping and security sources said on Wednesday. Meanwhile, Tehran said U.S. breaches, blockades and threats are undermining “genuine negotiations.”
Diplomatic efforts to end the Iran war are intensifying, with the White House confirming that U.S. President Donald Trump will send special envoy Steve Witkoff and adviser Jared Kushner to Islamabad for talks with Iran under Pakistani mediation.
Argentina has reiterated its interest in resuming talks with the United Kingdom over the Falkland Islands, a disputed archipelago in the South Atlantic, after reports that an internal Pentagon email suggested reviewing Washington’s support for the UK’s claim amid tensions over the Iran war.
Russian emergency services have contained a major fire at the Tuapse oil refinery on the Black Sea coast, local officials said on Thursday, ending a four-day effort after a Ukrainian drone strike.
Slovenia’s national broadcaster RTV Slovenia has confirmed it will not air the Eurovision Song Contest 2026, joining a widening boycott over Israel’s participation.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is in Azerbaijan for talks with President Ilham Aliyev, holding meetings in Gabala on Saturday (25 April) during a working visit to the country.
Around 14% of Central Asia’s population - about 12 million people - are facing food shortages, according to the United Nations. The issue was a central focus at the Regional Environmental Summit in Astana.
Türkiye sent six trucks carrying critical medical supplies to Iran on Thursday, reinforcing humanitarian assistance amid challenging cross-border conditions.
Afghanistan is exploring new business opportunities in cotton, tourism and minerals following trade and investment talks this week with officials from Uzbekistan and Türkiye.
Georgia is entering a pivotal economic and geopolitical phase, as talks with China to expand a free trade agreement coincide with renewed progress on the Anaklia Deep Sea Port.
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