India will remain a committed and reliable partner for the Central Asian countries in their developmental journey. This statement came from Sanjay Verma, Secretary (West) of the Indian Ministry of External Affairs during his remarks at the International Seminar on “India and Central Asia: Challenges and Opportunities” on Thursday, 29 Sep. The event was hosted by the Policy … [Read more...]
Samarkand Summit – SCO is a new leader in the emerging multipolar world
nCa Report On 16 September 2022, Samarkand hosted a meeting of the SCO heads of state under the chairmanship of the President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev. For the first time in the history of the organization, the summit was held in such a broad format. The leaders of 14 countries attended the gathering, including: Prime Minister of the Republic of India Narendra … [Read more...]
Turkmenistan to join North-South Corridor
Turkmenistan will join the North-South transport corridor established by Russia, Iran and India. The statement came from the minister of foreign affairs of Turkmenistan Rashid Meredov on Friday (19 Aug) during a briefing at the ministry of foreign affairs of Turkmenistan dedicated to the outcomes of the ministerial transport conference of LLDCs. According to Meredov, … [Read more...]
India pledges to work towards unlocking trade potential with Central Asia through Iranian Chabahar Port
The Union Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways of India Sarbananda Sonowal called the Central Asian countries to use the services of Chabahar port in Iran for facilitating their trade with India and other external markets. The statement came during his remarks at the Chabahar Day conference in Mumbai. The event gathered the ambassadors of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, … [Read more...]
First Russian rail transit cargo traveling along the North-South corridor arrived in Iran
The first transit train from Russia, heading for India along the North-South corridor, arrived in Iran on Tuesday through the Sarakhs crossing at the border with Turkmenistan. The pilot train consisting of 40 forty-foot containers loaded with building materials will run 8,000 km and reach the Indian port of Nhava Sheva via Russia, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Iran and … [Read more...]
Turkmenistan’s transport infrastructure integrates into the North-South corridor
Russian Railways Logistics (RZD Logistics) has started transporting full-component container trains from Russia to India along the eastern branch of the North-South land corridor involving the transport infrastructure of Russia, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Iran and India, according to company’s press release. The first container train set off from Chekhov station near Moscow … [Read more...]
President of India paid first ever visit to Turkmenistan
Elvira Kadyrova and Raviliya Kadyrova The president of India visited Turkmenistan, 1-4 April 2022. On 2 April 2022, negotiations were held in Ashgabat between President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov and President of India Ram Nath Kovind, who paid a three-day state visit to Turkmenistan. This is the first ever visit of the President of India to … [Read more...]
First Summit India-Central Asia
Elvira Kadyrova On 27 January 2022, the first India-Central Asia Summit took place in online format under the chairmanship of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The summit was attended by Presidents of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan. This high-level event was timed to the 30th anniversary of establishment of diplomatic relations between … [Read more...]
New Delhi hosted a ministerial meeting of “India-Central Asia” dialogue
Elvira Kadyrova On 19 December 2021, the third meeting of the foreign ministers of the India-Central Asia Dialogue took place in New Delhi, India. The delegation of Turkmenistan was headed by Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers of Turkmenistan, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan Rashid Meredov. The meeting was attended by Minister of External Affairs … [Read more...]
SCO Anniversary Summit in Dushanbe: the outcomes of 20 years summed up, goals for greater Eurasian cooperation outlined
Elvira Kadyrova On 17 September 2021, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit was held in Dushanbe, dedicated to the twentieth jubilee of the organization. The session of the SCO Council of Heads of Member States, held under the chairmanship of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon, was attended by: President Xi Jinping of China Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi … [Read more...]
International conference on the possibilities of comprehensive connectivity between Central and South Asia: Outcomes
Elvira Kadyrova On 15-16 July 2021, Tashkent hosted a high-level International Conference "Central and South Asia: Regional Connectivity. Challenges and Opportunities". The forum, initiated by Uzbekistan, brought together high-ranking officials from 40 countries, as well as delegations of major partner international organizations and financial institutions. The key speakers … [Read more...]
SCO nations declare readiness to support Afghanistan politically and economically
Elvira Kadyrova On 14 July 2021, a meeting of the SCO-Afghanistan Contact Group was held in Dushanbe, which gathered the foreign ministers of Afghanistan, India, Kazakhstan, China, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. A Joint Statement was adopted following the meeting. The document emphasizes that one of the most important factors for maintaining and … [Read more...]
Turkmenistan, India sign MoU on Grant Assistance for High Impact Community Development Projects
Ambassador Dr. Vidhu P. Nair and Minister of Finance and Economy of Turkmenistan H.E. Mr. Muhammetgeldi Serdarov signed the MoU on Indian Grant Assistance for implementation of High Impact Community Development Projects today. The MoU would facilitate implementation of projects for the socio-economic development of Turkmenistan especially in areas such as women empowerment, … [Read more...]
Uzbekistan Center for Economic Research analyzed the trade potential for Central and South Asia
Elvira Kadyrova In 2020, the total trade turnover between the Central Asian and South Asian countries amounted to US$4.4 billion. The assessments came from the Uzbek Center for Economic Research and Reforms (CERR). The largest stakes in the mutual trade belong to Kazakhstan (52.8%), Uzbekistan (31.2%) and Turkmenistan (10.4%), said Obid Khakimov, Director of the CERR, at … [Read more...]
Role of Turkmenistan in preparing Afghanistan for economic remake – Part 2
Tariq Saeedi The briefing conducted by DPM Meredov on 16 January 2021 at the auditorium of the institute of foreign relations was quite elaborate. He took six questions from the audience – four from the local and foreign media, and two from the academic community – and in doing so he covered the key aspects of the role of Turkmenistan in helping Afghanistan gear up for … [Read more...]
News from India
India Emerges as the Most Favourable Destination Even in Pandemic With its business-friendly environment created by the measures of government, India has emerged as an attractive investment even during the pandemic. A list of recent investments include Google (topping the chart with an estimated US$ 10 billion), Walmart (US$ 1.2 billion), Foxconn (US$ 1 billion) among … [Read more...]
India-Central Asia Business Council inaugurated – Indian FM called on businesses to play greater role in economic rapprochement with Central Asia
Elvira Kadyrova The inauguration meeting of the India-Central Asia Business Council took place in New Delhi on 6 February, Thursday. The event has been dated to the India-Central Asia Business Forum and organized by the Indian Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry jointly with the foreign ministry. The forum was attended President of FICCI Ms. Sangita … [Read more...]
Embassy of India hosts reception to mark Republic Day of India
Ambassador Azar A. H. Khan of India hosted a reception on 24 January 2020 to mark the 71st Republic Day of India. Here is the speech of the ambassador on the occasion: Namaste and a very Good Evening, His Excellency Mr. Yagshygeldi Kakayev, Adviser to the President of Turkmenistan, Excellencies the Ambassadors, Dear Colleagues, Distinguished Guests, Ladies & … [Read more...]
Embassy of India hosts dinner on 150th Birth Anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi and Indian Vegetarian Food Festival in Ashgabat
The embassy of India in Ashgabat hosted on Friday (4 October 2019) a reception to mark the 150th anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi. It coincided with the Indian Vegetarian Food Festival. Here is the speech of Ambassador Azar A. H. Khan on the occasion: Excellency Mr. Sapardurdy Toyliyev, President of Academy of Sciences of Turkmenistan Ambassadors, Colleagues and … [Read more...]
Start of a new corridor – TAPI, TAP500, TAP Fiber Optic Link, Railway Line
Tariq Saeedi and Raviliya Kadyrova Islim Cheshme, 23 February 2018 – Ashgabat, 25 February 2018 (nCa) --- After about an hour by airplane, seven hours by train, and another hour by bus, we finally reached the place that looked like an artistic depiction of timelessness – gently rolling sand dunes of a pleasant hue of khaki, dotted with majestically leafless trees, and small … [Read more...]
Turkmenistan commemorates in stamps the launch of regional infrastructure projects
Turkmenistan has issued a variety of new commemorative stamps in honor of the launch of infrastructure projects such as the Turkmen-Afghan link of the TAPI gas pipeline, the project of power lines Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan, fiber optic lines, the opening of the railway Serhetabat-Torghondi. The grand ceremonies on these projects took place on 23 February in Mary … [Read more...]
Taliban support TAPI
nCa Commentary Ashgabat, 23 February 2018 (nCa) --- TAPI enters its second phase of implementation today as the launch ceremony takes place in two part – first part in Serhetabat district of Turkmenistan, and the second part in Herat city of Afghanistan. President Berdymuhamedov of Turkmenistan, President Ashraf Ghani of Afghanistan, Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi of … [Read more...]
Turkmenistan thanks Saudi Arabia for funding of TAPI
Ashgabat, 20 January 2018 (nCa) --- President Berdymuhamedov has sent a letter of gratitude to King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saudi of Saudi Arabia, thanking him on the funding provided by the Saudi Development Fund for TAPI (Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India pipeline project. “I take this financial support as a continuation of your efforts to develop our cooperation,” … [Read more...]
TAPI Gas Pipeline: From Idea to Reality
As is known, an important aspect of Turkmenistan's energy strategy is the expansion of the geography of export routes for the supply of Turkmen energy to world markets, including through the creation of a multivariate transport infrastructure. In this area, large investment projects are being implemented, among which the construction of the … [Read more...]
ГАЗОПРОВОД ТАПИ: ИЗ ИДЕИ В РЕАЛЬНОСТЬ
Как известно, важным аспектом энергетической стратегии Туркменистана является расширение географии экспортных маршрутов поставок туркменских энергоносителей на мировые рынки, в том числе, за счёт создания многовариантной транспортной инфраструктуры. В этой сфере реализуются крупные инвестиционные проекты, среди которых особое место занимает строительство газопровода … [Read more...]
Kashmir – A stable Pak–India relationship as the recipe for regional peace
nCa Commentary Karachi, 1 April 2017 (nCa) --- Pakistan has historically left no stone unturned to maintain engagement and dialogue with India for resolution of all outstanding disputes between the two countries. However, the economic well –being of the people of both the countries and regional peace have both been hostage to Indian intransigence on the core, unresolved issue … [Read more...]
“Good Taliban” Sajna Group Blows-Up Army Centerpiece School In Tiarza Right After Gen. Abbasi Visit
Peter Chamberlin Two weeks after the latest Pentagon/CIA assault upon a tribal jirga, and attempt to kill Sajna Mehsud, his group blows-up a highly symbolic, Pak Army-built girls school in S. Waziristan. Why would one of Pakistan’s “good Taliban” stage such an assault upon progress in his own area, especially just one month after the Tiarza Roadopening, after it had been … [Read more...]
Islamabad Heart of Asia Conference
General Mirza Aslam Beg Ex. Chief of Army Staff, Pakistan Email: friendsfoundation@live.co.uk A few months back, Dr. Ikram Azam, reminded me of the book “Pakistan – The Heart of Asia”, by late Prime Minister Liaquat Ali Khan. The author gave his vision of Pakistan of the future, its geo-strategic importance and the linkages it could create with immediate neighbors and … [Read more...]
اسلام آباد ہارٹ آف ایشیاء کانفرنس
اسلام آباد ہارٹ آف ایشیاء کانفرنس جنرل مرزا اسلم بیگ سابق چیف آف آرمی سٹاف’ پاکستان Email: friendsfoundation@live.co.uk چند ماہ قبل ڈاکٹر اکرام اعظم صاحب نے مجھے مرحوم وزیراعظم پاکستان لیاقت علی خان کی کتاب “Pakistan – The Heart of Asia” یاددلائی’ جس میں مصنف نے خطے میں ہمہ گیراور پر امن بقائے باہمی کے حوالے سےمستقبل میں پاکستان کی جغرافیائی و تذویراتی اہمیت اور قریبی … [Read more...]
پاکستان کے حالات حاضرہ پر تبصرہ
جنرل مرزا اسلم بیگ کا انٹرویو سوال : بھارت کنٹرول لائن اور ورکنگ بائنڈری پر دہشت گردی کا مرتکب ہو رہا ہے۔ادھر افغان حکومت بھی الزامات لگائے جا رہی ہے۔ ان حالات میں کراچی آپریشن کا منطقی انجام کیا ہوگا’ کیونکہ کراچی آپریشن کے نتیجے میں دہشت گردی کے ساتھ سیاسی الجھائو بھی پیدا ہو ا ہے جواب: دہشت گردی کے خلاف اس جنگ کے کئی پہلو ہیں جو ایک دوسرے سے مربوط ہیں۔ پاکستان میں دہشت … [Read more...]
بھارت کی دھمکیوں کا جواب ہمارے پاس موجود ہے
جنرل مرزا اسلم بیگ سابق چیف آف آرمی سٹاف پاکستان Email: friendsfoundation@live.co.uk آج ہم یوم دفاع کی پچاسویں سالگرہ منا رہے ہیں لیکن ہمارا ملک اندرونی و بیرونی خطرات کی زد میں ہے۔ایک طرف ہم مغربی سرحدوں پردہشت گردی کے خلاف جنگ لڑ رہے ہیں تو دوسری جانب بھارت نےمغربی سرحدوں پر بلاجواز کشیدگی کی فضا پیدا کر کے ہمارے مسائل میں اضافہ کیا ہے۔ ہمیں معلوم ہے کہ اس … [Read more...]
Turkmenistan begins engineering and survey work on 215-km segment of TAPI in its territory
Ashgabat, 4 September 2015 (nCa) --- Turkmenistan has started the engineering and survey work on the 215-km segment of TAPI that will pass through its territory. A commentary circulated Thursday by TDH, the official news agency of Turkmenistan says that the institute of oil and gas of the state concern Turkmengaz had begun a series of technical and geological studies for the … [Read more...]
Туркменистан приступил к инженерно-изыскательным работам на 215-километровом сегменте трубопровода ТАПИ на своей территории
Ашхабад, 4 сентября 2015 (nCa) --- Туркменистан приступил к инженерно-изыскательным работам на 215-километровом сегменте трубопровода ТАПИ, который пройдет через территорию страны. Как сообщает государственное информационное агентство ТДХ, специалисты Института нефти и газа Государственной корпорации «Туркменгаз» приступили к техническим и геологическим исследованиям на … [Read more...]
TAPI opts for self propulsion – Turkmenistan to lead consortium
nCa News and Commentary Ashgabat, 7 August 2015 (nCa) --- In a historic choice Thursday, Turkmenistan decided to act as the consortium leader for TAPI, the pipeline project that will transport Turkmen gas to Pakistan and India through the territory of Afghanistan. During the 22nd meeting of the steering committee of TAPI, a ministerial level body empowered to take executive … [Read more...]
Turkmenistan-India Summit Talks: 7 documents signed, joint statement issued, bust of Gandhi unveiled, centre for yoga and traditional medicine opened
Ashgabat, 12 July 2015 (nCa) --- The summit talks between President Berdymuhamedov and Prime Minister Narendra Modi of India led to the signing of 7 documents in Ashgabat on 11 July. The sides issued a joint statement. DPM Khojamuhammedov (oil and gas) gave a presentation on TAPI, its route through Afghanistan and Pakistan and the progress made so far. Later, the Indian … [Read more...]
Indo-US Nexus -The Name of the Game
General Mirza Aslam Beg The factors determining the geo-political dynamics of our region have a name. It is Modi’s concept of ‘Act Asia’ and Obama’s idea of ‘Pivot to Asia’. In fact both the concepts eminate from their failed post 9/11 Afghanistan policies: The 2005 Indo-US Strategic Partnership was aimed at establishing Indian hegemony over the territories from Afghanistan to … [Read more...]
TAPI technical group, steering committee to meet in Ashgabat
nCa News and Commentary Ashgabat, 5 July 2014 (nCa) --- The Technical Working Group of TAPI (Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India gas pipeline project) will meet in Ashgabat, 6-7 July 2014. This would be followed by the meeting of the Steering Committee, 8-18 July 2014. The agenda covers several important issues including the refining of the roadmap, creation of the … [Read more...]
Политизация проекта ТАПИ
Тарик Саиди Ашхабад, 31 октября 2013 (nCa) --- Заимствовав устаревшее сравнение, можно сказать, что проект трубопровода ТАПИ по отношению к ослабшим и удрученным Штатам, является некой спасательной шлюпкой для пассажиров тонущего корабля. Отступление под храбрым эвфемизмом вывода войск выглядит серьезным и важным. Старые добрые США, не желая отказаться от своей опоры в … [Read more...]
Politicization of TAPI
Tariq Saeedi Ashgabat, 31 October 2013 (nCa) --- Borrowing a tired simile, TAPI is to a drained and dispirited USA what a lifeboat is to the passengers of a sinking ship. The retreat under the brave euphemism of withdrawal is looming large. The good old US of A, loath to give up its toehold in Central Asia, seems desperate for any fig leave to justify its continued presence … [Read more...]
Bucking the trend and trending the buck
nCa Commentary Ashgabat, 12 June 2013 (nCa) --- Two separate news stories, entirely unrelated to each other, are of immediate importance for Central Asia. Reuters reports that India has offered incentives to its businessmen for exports to Iran. The trade ministry of India hopes that the incentives will help double the country’s exports to Iran, reaching US $ 6 billion … [Read more...]
Поддерживая тенденцию
Комментарий nCa Ашхабад, 12 июня 2013 (nCa) --- Две отдельные новости, совершенно не связанные друг с другом, имеют непосредственное значение для Центральной Азии. Reuters сообщает, что Индия предлагает меры стимулирования по расширению экспорта в Иран. Министерство торговли Индии надеется, что это поможет удвоить объем экспорта страны в Иран, который уже оценивается в … [Read more...]
Collective political will of participants bolsters TAPI
This report was recently published in our paid-subscription publication. It is now being made available for the wider audience. Ed. Collective political will of participants bolsters TAPI Ashgabat, 22 March 2013 (nCa) --- The presidents of Turkmenistan, Afghanistan and Pakistan, in separate statements on 20 March, expressed strong support for TAPI, the pipeline project that … [Read more...]
Коллективная политическая воля участников ТАПИ укрепляет проект
This report was recently published in our paid-subscription publication. It is now being made available for the wider audience. Ed. Коллективная политическая воля участников ТАПИ укрепляет проект Ашгабат, 22 марта 2013 года (nCa) --- Президенты Туркменистана, Афганистана и Пакистана, в отдельных заявлениях 20 марта выразили решительную поддержку проекту газопровода ТАПИ, … [Read more...]
Pakistan fully committed to both Turkmenistan and Iran gas pipelines
Ashgabat, 13 May 2012 (nCa) --- Pakistan is fully committed to both Turkmenistan and Iran gas pipeline projects, said Nawabzada Malik Amad Khan, the minister of state for foreign affairs of Pakistan in an exclusive conversation Saturday with nCa in Ashgabat. This dispels the impression that Pakistan could be pursuing an either-or approach on its major gas import … [Read more...]
Challenges and Response
General Mirza Aslam Beg, Former Chief of Army Staff, Pakistan It is a day of reckoning for us, to recollect the failings of the past, and to carve-out a new destiny for the nation. No doubt Pakistan has faced serious challenges to its security, mainly due to foreign aggression in the region and our collusion with them. Having come full circle now, Pakistan is moving on the … [Read more...]
Indian Supreme Court Orders Establishing Indian Water Hegemony
General Mirza Aslam Beg, Former Chief of Army Staff, Pakistan India’s Supreme Court on 27 February 2012, ordered the government to implement the2002 project to link major rivers in India ‘in a time-bound manner’. The over $100 billion project will link around 30 rivers, to ensure flood control and equitable distribution of water by efficient transfer of water from surplus to … [Read more...]