India’s connectivity with Central Asian countries and to reduce the India’s Continental Challenges remains a top priority for India, according to President Ram Nath Kovind. He was speaking to Turkmen young diplomats today at the Institute of International Relations in Ashgabat. According to the President, India is a signatory to both the International North-South Transport Corridor and the Ashgabat Agreement. We have taken steps to operationalize the Chabahar port in Iran, which will provide Central Asian countries with secure, viable, and unhindered access to the sea. He stated that while expanding India’s Connectivity, it is critical to ensure that interconnection initiatives are consultative, transparent, and participatory, with regard for all countries' sovereignty and territorial integrity. India is willing to collaborate, invest, and build connectivity and try to reduce India’s continental challenges.
India’s foreign policy and India’s foreign security
According to the President, India's foreign policy and India’s Foreign Security has been continually changing since its independence. The emergence of India as one of the world's major economies, as well as the relevance of India's technological capabilities, has shaped key global negotiations. India's ties with countries in the Global South have grown significantly, while its relations with major powers have deepened. The President stated that the "Neighbourhood First" policy has been a key pillar of India's foreign policy in recent years. The overarching goal of India's involvement with its neighbours is to ensure that they benefit from our economic development and growth as well. As a result, the focus of our Neighbourhood First policy is to improve connectivity, boost trade and investment, and create a safe and stable neighbourhood. While the term "Indo-Pacific" is new to the geopolitical lexicon, India's engagement with the Indo-Pacific region dates back centuries. The region's dynamism and vitality make it a global economic centre. We advocate for an Indo-Pacific trade regime that is open, balanced, rules-based, and stable. The President stated that one of the recent focus areas of Indian foreign policy has been the reinvigoration of our historical ties with Central Asian countries that are part of our "extended neighbourhood." India and Central Asian countries share common perspectives and approaches as developing countries. Terrorism, extremism, radicalization, drug trafficking, and other common challenges confront us. India also has strategic ties with the majority of Central Asian countries. India’s foreign security is also one of the concerns of the country.