India, on Sunday, will host the third edition of its foreign ministerial dialogue with five Central Asian countries, focusing on critical regional concerns such as connectivity and Afghanistan’s growth. 

Foreign ministers from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan will attend the meeting, according to Arindam Bagchi of the Ministry of External Affairs. 

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The discussion is taking place in the context of India reaching out to the five countries to invite their top leaders to attend the upcoming Republic Day festivities as special guests. 

India has spent the previous few years focused on improving overall collaboration with the energy-rich Central Asian countries, which it considers to be part of its extended neighbourhood. 

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The recent events in Afghanistan have highlighted the importance of Central Asian countries, with three of them sharing borders with the war-torn country: Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan.

On November 10, national security advisors from all five Central Asian countries convened in India for a regional dialogue on Afghanistan. Russia’s and Iran’s national security advisers also took part. 

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar will host the third India-Central Asia dialogue meeting in New Delhi from December 18-20, according to Bagchi.

“As part of the third meeting of the India-Central Asia dialogue on December 19, the ministers are expected to discuss further strengthening of relations between India and Central Asian countries with particular focus on trade, connectivity and development cooperation,” he said.

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The situation in Afghanistan is expected to be a major topic of discussion at the talks, according to sources. 

The ministers will also discuss regional and international matters of mutual concern, according to Mr Bagchi.

“The foreign ministers of the Central Asian countries are expected to pay a joint courtesy call on Prime Minister Narendra Modi,” he said.

According to the spokesperson, India and the five Central Asian countries have been engaged in active dialogue over the previous few years. 

This year, Mr. Jaishankar travelled to Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan, as well as meeting with Turkmenistan’s Foreign Minister in October.

“The holding of annual meetings of the India-Central Asia Dialogue is symbolic of the interest on the part of all member countries for greater engagement between them in a spirit of friendship, trust and mutual understanding,” Mr Bagchi said.

In October of last year, India hosted the second round of the India-Central Asia discussion via digital video conference. 

Tajikistan’s Foreign Minister, Sirojiddin Muhriddin, will pay a bilateral visit to India from December 18 to 20, according to Mr Bagchi. 

When questioned about the primary guest for Republic Day, he said such announcements are made at a “appropriate occasion and time.”  “We will definitely share with you once that is finalised,” he said.