India, Central Asia vow tighter anti-terror front, push connectivity at Bishkek meet

India and Central Asian nations on Thursday resolved to deepen security cooperation and bolster regional connectivity as National Security Adviser Ajit Doval joined his counterparts at the third India-Central Asia meeting of the secretaries of the Security Council/National Security Advisers in Bishkek, Kyrgyz Republic.

The top security officials from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan joined Doval in reaffirming their commitment to joint action against terrorism, radicalisation, extremism and narcotics trafficking — issues that continue to threaten stability across the region.

The discussions placed particular emphasis on Afghanistan’s security and stability, which the participants described as central to regional peace. They agreed to work closely with Kabul on counter-terror measures, connectivity and economic development — areas, they said, could serve as the foundation for long-term stability in the war-torn country.

The meeting also prioritised greater physical and digital connectivity between India and Central Asia, calling it a strategic necessity to enhance trade and people-to-people exchanges. Beyond traditional security cooperation, the countries agreed to expand collaboration into digital infrastructure, artificial intelligence, space technologies and emerging innovations — signalling an intent to build a forward-looking regional architecture.

The third NSA-level dialogue builds upon the consensus reached at the first India-Central Asia Summit in January 2022, which institutionalised such regular security meetings. The first round was held in New Delhi in December 2022, followed by the second in Astana in October 2023, and now the third in Bishkek, in the wake of the fourth India-Central Asia Foreign Ministers’ Meeting held in New Delhi in June 2025.

During his visit, Doval also called on Kyrgyz President Sadyr Zhaparov, accompanied by the Central Asian Security Council Secretaries, and held separate bilateral meetings with his counterparts from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan.

Officials said the discussions underscored India’s growing strategic convergence with Central Asia — a region increasingly vital to New Delhi’s security, connectivity and energy calculus.