India on Thursday moved to consolidate its ties with Central Asia to offset the strategic edge Pakistan and its “iron brother” China might seek to gain in the region taking advantage of the Taliban’s return to power in Afghanistan. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had a virtual summit with the leaders of Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Kyrgyzstan – just two
India may host the leaders of the five Central Asian nations on the occasion of Republic Day on January 26 next year. New Delhi is planning to invite the presidents of Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan to be the chief guests, but a final decision will be taken when External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar will host his counterparts from the five