NEW DELHI: Connectivity, terrorism and the Afghanistan situation dominated India-Uzbekistan virtual summit on Friday with PM Narendra Modi saying it is essential that the gains of the last two decades in Afghanistan are preserved.
Speaking after his meeting with the central Asian country’s President, Shavkat Mirziyoyev, Modi said the two countries had similar concerns about extremism, fundamentalism and separatism.
“We both stand firmly together against terrorism. We also have an identical approach on regional security issues,” said Modi, adding both leaders also agreed that the Afghan peace process must be Afghanled, Afghan-owned and Afghan-controlled.
The Indian side also welcomed an Uzbek proposal to hold a trilateral dialogue among India, Iran and Uzbekistan to promote connectivity through the Chabahar port.
India and Uzbekistan also signed nine agreements to expand cooperation in several areas. The Indian side confirmed the approval of $448 million of Line of Credit for developmental works in Uzbekistan.