By IANS,
New Delhi : The situation in Afghanistan and Indian participation in projects to improve connectivity between Afghanistan and Central Asia will feature in talks between Uzbekistan President Islam Karimov and Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh here Wednesday.
Ahead of the start of Karimov’s two-day visit, Indian external affairs ministry spokesman Vishnu Prakash said both countries had “convergence of views” on Afghanistan, which both countries would like to become a stable and prosperous nation.
Uzbekistan is a crucial player in Afghanistan as about 60 percent of NATO’s non-weapon supplies go through the Termez-Hairatan border crossing between the two countries. This outlet for the northern distribution network has become key in reducing dependence on supply routes through Pakistan, where supply convoys have been attacked in the past.
Besides, the Central Asian country has been interested in developing a road network linking Tashkent to the Iranian ports of Bandar-Abbas and Chabahar. Uzbekistan would like help in construction of some of the road and rail networks inside Afghanistan, which it envisages as part of the the trans-Afghan corridor.
As part of this project, there is also a road linking Central Asia to Persian Gulf, through Uzbekistan, Afghanistan and Iran. “They (the Uzbeks) have been asking for Indian participation in this area too,” said a senior official.
Karimov, who has been Uzbekistan president since 1990, will be on his fifth visit to India. The Indian prime minister previously visited Tashkent in April 2006.
The formal delegation-level talks will be held Wednesday afternoon, led by Prime Minister Singh and President Karimov. In the evening, President Pratibha Patil will host a banquet in honour of the foreign leader.
Besides Afghanistan, India and the Central Asian republic have had regular talks on counter-terrorism and defence cooperation.
India is also interested in being a more active participant of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation. “Uzbekistan has been particularly useful in pushing for larger Indian role in SCO,” said MEA’s joint secretary (Eurasia), Ajay Bisaria.
While bilateral trade is low at $115 million, Prakash said there is “tremendous potential for growth”.
India has been looking for trade views in complementary areas like textiles and gas. Indian state companies GAIL and OVL have signed two memoranda of understanding in the hydrocarbon sector.
Uzbekistan has the world’s tenth largest gas reserves, said to be around 6.25 trillion cubic metres of gas.
According to officials, India is expecting more joint ventures in pharmaceuticals, as well as cooperation in other economic sectors like food processing, information technology and strategic metals, including rare earth metals.
“We attach considerable significance to the state visit which should result in alleviating status to a higher level,” said Prakash.