NSA Ajit Doval attends 3rd India-Central Asia Security Council meeting in Bishkek

NSA Ajit Doval Attends 3rd India–Central Asia Security Council Meeting in Bishkek

Analysis:

1. National Security Adviser (NSA) Ajit Doval participated in the third India–Central Asia meeting of the Secretaries of the Security Council and National Security Advisers, held in Bishkek, Kyrgyz Republic.
2. The meeting served as a strategic platform for strengthening regional security cooperation amidst evolving geopolitical and security challenges.
3. The discussions emphasized counterterrorism, radicalisation, extremism, and narcotics trafficking, recognizing them as key transnational threats requiring coordinated responses.
4. Delegates underscored the importance of regular dialogue between India and the Central Asian countries to ensure collective preparedness against emerging security threats.
5. The participants reiterated the need for peace and stability in Afghanistan, acknowledging its critical role in maintaining regional security and economic stability.
6. They agreed to cooperate closely with Afghanistan on security, connectivity, and economic development initiatives to foster long-term regional stability.
7. The meeting also prioritized enhancing connectivity between India and Central Asia, including digital infrastructure, AI, space cooperation, and emerging technologies.
8. NSA Doval held bilateral meetings with the Security Council Secretaries of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, and Uzbekistan, focusing on mutual security interests and regional collaboration.
9. NSA Doval, along with other delegates, also called on Kyrgyz President Sadyr Nurgozhoevich Zhaparov, underlining the importance of strategic ties between India and the Central Asian region.
10. The meeting reinforced India’s strategic outreach under the India–Central Asia dialogue framework, which aims to promote security, connectivity, and economic cooperation in the extended neighborhood.

Static Part:

1. India–Central Asia Security Dialogue:
   • Initiated in 2022, it provides a mechanism for regional security coordination between India and the five Central Asian nations — Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan.
   • Focuses on counterterrorism, regional stability, and Afghanistan-related issues.
2. Significance of Central Asia for India:
   • The region is strategically vital for energy security, trade connectivity, and geopolitical balance in the Eurasian landscape.
   • India engages through platforms like the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) and Chabahar Port connectivity to strengthen regional integration.
3. Ajit Doval:
   • Serving as National Security Adviser (NSA) since 2014.
   • Key architect of India’s strategic security and intelligence framework.
     
     Updated - October 16, 2025 9:53 PM | News On Air