India is planning to have the leaders of the five Central Asian countries as chief guests for the 2022 Republic Day parade, Indian Express reported quoting its sources. The five countries include Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, and Tajikistan, three of which share their borders with Afghanistan the report added. India's relations with the Central Asian countries is vital due to security cooperation among the nations, especially considering situations in Talian ruled Afghanistan, China's growing dominance and connectivity plans including the International North-South Transit Corridor (INSTC), energy needs (Kazakhstan has Uranium reserves and Turkmenistan is part of the proposed Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-Iran gas pipeline), cultural links and potential for trade. The first engagement between the Central Asian countries was formulated through the “Connect Central Asia policy” in 2012, which was framed by India.
Republic Day 2022 | Key Points
1. India may invite Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Kyrgyzstan for the 26 January 2022 Republic Day parade as the chief guests of the special event.
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2. The report has said that an informal outreach has already been made through diplomatic channels. It also said that External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar is expected to reach out to the foreign ministers of the Central Asian countries during the coming weekend, said the media company. The outreach will lay the groundwork for the summit at the leaders’ level, Indian Express reported quoting its sources
3. The report further disclosed that India initially planned to invite countries of the BIMSTEC grouping, which includes Bangladesh, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Nepal, and Bhutan.
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