Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar Sunday told the foreign ministers of Central Asian countries that their “concerns and objectives” in Afghanistan are “similar”, and flagged “a truly inclusive and representative government, the fight against terrorism and drug trafficking, ensuring unhindered humanitarian assistance and preserving the rights of women, children and the minorities” as their concerns and goals. Jaishankar was addressing the foreign ministers of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan at the India-Central Asia dialogue here. Three of these countries, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan, share a border with Afghanistan. “We all also share deep-rooted historical and civilizational ties with Afghanistan. Our concerns and objectives in that country are similar: a truly inclusive and representative government, the fight against terrorism and drug trafficking, ensuring unhindered humanitarian assistance and preserving the rights of women, children and the minorities. We must find ways of helping the people of Afghanistan,” he told the visiting ministers. The dialogue comes amid concerns over human rights as well as the humanitarian situation in Afghanistan. New Delhi and Islamabad are engaging, each on its own track, with key partners in the region and beyond with a conference in each capital Sunday. In Islamabad, Pakistan hosted the 17th extraordinary session of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation’s (OIC) Council of Foreign Ministers with the country’s Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi expressing hope that they will “reach a consensus on measures to improve the situation in Afghanistan”. Significantly, the five Central Asian countries, whose foreign ministers are currently in India, are also members of the OIC grouping and they have skipped the meeting in Islamabad to attend the dialogue in New Delhi. "We must find ways of helping the people of Afghanistan," Jaishankar added. He underlined that this dialogue is a good opportunity to review bilateral and regional relationships between the countries and consider the challenges that they are facing collectively. "Our meeting Sunday comes amidst a rapidly changing global, economic and political situation. The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in an enormous setback to global health and to global economy," he indicated. "It has changed the way we imagined societies, workplaces, supply chains and governance. It also highlights the inadequacy of the existing multilateral structures to meet new and emerging threats," he added. "We need diversified supply chains and more regional solutions," he remarked. The Indian minister also highlighted the steadfast resolve of India in fighting the pandemic and recalled New Delhi"s support to 90 countries including Tajikistan and Uzbekistan by supplying vaccines. He appreciated the global support extended to India during the second wave of the pandemic when Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan also pitched in to give India much needed medical aid. "Despite the impact of the pandemic, our countries have sustained the momentum of our relations. We are very pleased at the state of our bilateral relations," he said. "But we know that the potential is very much more. Each one of us today faces the test of rebuilding our economy," Jaishankar remarked. He added that they can achieve much more and India will remain a steadfast partner in the development of each countries. In order to take the ties to the next level, it is important to focus on commerce, capacity enhancement, connectivity and contacts, the minister mentioned. Turkmenistan Foreign Minister Rashid Meredov, Kazakhstan Foreign Minister Mukhtar Tileuberdi. Tajik Foreign Minister Sirojiddin Muhriddin, Foreign Minister of Kyrgyz Republic Ruslan Kazakbaev and Uzbekistan Foreign Minister Abdulaziz Kamilov are participating in the event. Sunday’s conference here will also set the stage for the presence of the leaders of these five nations at the Republic Day celebrations next month, COVID situation permitting. Since 2012, there has been an active engagement between India and these five Central Asian countries. India considers them as part of its “extended neighborhood”. Jaishankar visited Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan this year and met the Foreign Minister of Turkmenistan in October this year. The ministers discussed further strengthening of relations with India focusing on trade, connectivity and development cooperation. They also exchanged views on regional and international issues of mutual interest, the MEA said in a statement. Sunday’s meeting also follows the Nov. 10 regional security dialogue on Afghanistan for which the NSAs of these five countries were in Delhi along with those from Russia and Iran. At that meeting, hosted by NSA Ajit Doval, all expressed concern at the current situation in Afghanistan. — Agencies