At the 4th India-Central Asia Dialogue held in New Delhi on Friday, foreign ministers from India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan reaffirmed their shared commitment to tackling global challenges through collective action in public health, sustainable development, and climate resilience, reported ANI.
The meeting highlighted several joint priorities, including India’s One Earth, One Health initiative, the DAKSHIN platform for South-South cooperation, glacier conservation, and clean energy partnerships like the International Solar Alliance (ISA).
Health cooperation emerged as a central theme, with all participating countries expressing a strong interest in strengthening healthcare collaboration, including in areas such as medical tourism. Under the One Earth, One Health framework, the ministers agreed to enhance healthcare systems and service delivery across Central Asia, and to promote the integration of traditional medicine. India also offered technical expertise to help develop Universal Health Coverage (UHC) models tailored to the specific needs of Central Asian countries. The ministers discussed the potential creation of a Joint Working Group on Healthcare Cooperation, according to the Joint Statement issued after the dialogue.
Capacity building and knowledge exchange were also emphasized as critical components of the partnership. As part of their broader South-South cooperation agenda, the ministers committed to working closely with India’s Global South Centre of Excellence—DAKSHIN (Development and Knowledge Sharing Initiative). The platform is aimed at facilitating collaborative solutions to shared development challenges through inclusive, scalable models.
Environmental sustainability and climate action featured prominently in the discussions. The ministers praised the First High-Level International Conference on Glaciers’ Preservation, which took place in Dushanbe from May 29 to 31, 2025. The event was held in recognition of the International Year of Glaciers’ Preservation and World Glaciers’ Day. Emphasis was placed on the crucial role glaciers play in sustaining mountain ecosystems and water-dependent communities.
In support of global climate goals, India promoted the International Solar Alliance (ISA) as a key mechanism for clean energy collaboration and encouraged Central Asian countries to participate. The ministers acknowledged ISA’s role in driving progress under the Paris Agreement. India also invited them to engage in complementary initiatives such as the Global Biofuels Alliance (GBA) and the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI).
The dialogue reflected a growing alignment between India and the Central Asian nations on integrated, cross-sectoral cooperation. Concluding the meeting, the ministers expressed appreciation to the Government of India for its hospitality and agreed to continue strengthening their partnerships in the years ahead.
