towards
a new silk route of the
21st century

On 6th July 2015 the Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi embarked on a tour to Central Asia and Russia. He visited Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan. He attended the BRICS and SCO Summits in Ufa, Russia.

The Prime Minister’s visit to Central Asia was historic and special because it was a significant effort to expand India’s cooperation with the Central Asian Nations on an unprecedented scale. Shri Modi was the first PM to visit Turkmenistan and Kyrgyzstan in twenty years and was the first Prime Minister to visit Tajikistan in twelve years.

The Prime Minister’s visit witnessed bilateral meeting, delegation level talks and a variety of other programmes that reaffirmed India’s strong links with the region. Wherever the Prime Minister travelled, he received a very warm welcome from the various Nations.

The talks he held with the five central Asian nations focused on expanding economic cooperation and trade ties. Energy, healthcare, culture and tourism were other focus areas. Key agreements were inked during the visit. India’s security ties with the region received a significant boost.

Apart from the diplomatic programmes the PM attended other programmes. This included meeting in Indologists and Hindi language students in Uzbekistan, a programme at Nazarbayev University in Kazakhstan, inaugurating a Traditional Medicine and Yoga Centre in Turkmenistan, launching Telemedicine links with Kyrgyzstan and a first of its kind Agriculture Workshop in Tajikistan.

During the visit the Prime Minister unveiled a bust of Lal Bahadur Shastri ji in Uzbekistan, a bust of Gandhi ji in Turkmenistan, a statue of Gandhi ji in Kyrgyzstan and a bust of Gurudev Tagore in Tajikistan.

This E-book takes you through the Prime Minister’s visit to Central Asia and the ground it covered in enhancing ties with this crucial region

Uzbekistan

5 Quotes by PM Narendra Modi that Encapsulate the Strong India-Uzbekistan.

“I have begun my journey in Uzbekistan. This underlines this nation’s importance for India, not just in the context of this region, but also more broadly in Asia.”

“In recent years, India and Uzbekistan have built a strategic partnership on the foundation of mutual respect and shared interests. This includes expanding economic cooperation, combating terrorism, advancing stability in the region and promoting regional integration.”

“I am pleased with the agreements in the areas of Culture and Tourism, because they will bring our people closer. Few countries can match Uzbekistan in nurturing Hindi and Indian culture.”

“I share President Karimov’s desire to raise the level of our economic engagement. I conveyed to him that there is a strong interest in Indian business to invest in Uzbekistan. There is immense potential in a broad range of areas in Uzbekistan.”

“(India and Uzbekistan) also have shared concerns on the rising threat of extremism and terrorism in our extended neighbourhood. We agreed to intensify security cooperation and exchanges.”

You would be interested to know that the cultural ties between India and Uzbekistan are deep rooted. In 2012 the Uzbek radio completed 50 years of broadcasting Indian music.

During his Uzbekistan visit the Prime Minister met Indologists, Hindi language students and the Indian community. He lauded the efforts of the Indologists and the Hindi language students for their keen interest in study of India and India’s culture. In his speech the Prime Minister emphasized on the people-to-people ties and the power of language in the development of one’s personality.

All those who attended the talk went home with very pleasant memories making it an interaction they will cherish forever.

PM Narendra Modi landed in Tashkent to a very warm welcome. In a special gesture, he was received by the Prime Minister of Uzbekistan Mr. Shavkat Miromonovich Mirziyoyev.

It was in Tashkent, Uzbekistan that India lost one of her most popular and dynamic Prime Ministers, Shri Lal Bahadur Shastri. Shastri ji was the stalwart who gave the clarion call of ‘Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan’ that ignited the entire nation. PM Modi paid rich tributes to Shri Lal Bahadur Shastri at Tashkent.

Shri Modi’s talks with President Islam Karimov and PM Shavkat Miromonovich Mirziyoyev were comprehensive and set the tone for deeper engagement with Uzbekistan in the years to come. The outcomes of this dialogue will benefit the people of India and Uzbekistan in the coming years.

Shri Modi presented President Karimov a specially commissioned reproduction of Khamsa-i-Khusrau, by 13th century Sufi poet Amir Khusrau. Amir Khusrau belonged to Uttar Pradesh but his father hailed from Uzbekistan.

Kazakhstan

Kazakhstan, the largest country in Central Asia is also one of India’s most valued friends with great cooperation in a wide range of issues. On 7th July 2015 the Prime Minister’s aircraft touched down at Astana where he was accorded a very special welcome by PM Karim Massimov. Productive talks and extensive deliberations were held with President Nursultan Nazarbayev. The outcomes of this visit will be very beneficial to both nations and Central Asia at large.

Here are seven quotes by the Prime Minister that define the strong relationship between India and Kazakhstan:

“We greatly value our relationship with Kazakhstan. We have enormous synergies of markets, resources and skills for a strong bilateral relationship. We discovered remarkable convergence in our economic policies, approaches and strategies in a number of areas.”

“Kazakhstan is our biggest economic partner in the region. But, our relations are modest, compared to our potential. We will work together to take economic ties to a new level.”

“I thank him for Kazakhstan’s continued support for India’s candidature for a permanent seat in a reformed United Nation's Security Council and for a UN Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism.”

“I feel that this visit has opened the door to a much broader and deeper relationship, including many new areas of productive cooperation.”

“Kazakhstan was one of the first countries with which we launched civil nuclear cooperation through a uranium purchase contract.”

Economic to cultural cooperation with Kazakhstan…know that the PM said during the joint press meet with President Nazarbayev.

TejKadam: joint statement between India and Kazakhstan

Shri Narendra Modi had a fruitful interaction with business leaders from Kazakhstan and India. At the interaction Shri Modi called for scaling up the economic cooperation between India and Kazakhstan, adding that a strong India-Kazakhstan economic partnership will help both the countries.

He urged companies based in Kazakhstan to invest in India and added that Indian companies can benefit greatly in Kazakhstan. The Prime Minister also stressed on bettering connectivity between the two nations. PM Massimov also shared his valuable inputs and agreed with the Prime Minister when he talked about better economic ties.

Discussing business: PM’s speech at business roundtable

Shri Narendra Modi met people from all walks of life in Kazakhstan at a programme in Nazarbayev University. His speech was widely appreciated as he touched upon several vital issues.

Here are memorable extracts from his speech:

“I am truly excited to visit a great country and a great region that has been called the pivot of human history. It is a land of beauty and cultural splendor, of outstanding achievements and great heroism. It is also a region of continuous engagement with India since human civilisation began. So, I have come here, drawn by history and goodwill and as a neighbour, to write a new chapter in an ancient relationship.”

“Kazakhstan is a voice of responsibility and maturity in international forums, including the United Nations.”

“Central Asia is at the crossroads of Eurasia. It has been caught in the currents of history and it has also shaped it. It has seen rise and fall of empires. It has witnessed trade thrive and ebb. For monks, merchants and monarchs, it has been both - a destination and a passage. It has been an intermediary of cultures and faiths from across Asia. Your gifts to human civilisation have been rich. Your imprint on human progress has been lasting.”

“The confluence of Indian and Islamic civilisations took place in Central Asia. We enriched each other not only in spiritual thought, but also in medicine, science, mathematics and astronomy.

The Islamic heritage of both India and Central Asia is defined by the highest ideals of Islam – knowledge, piety, compassion and welfare. This is a heritage founded on the principle of love and devotion. And, it has always rejected the forces of extremism.”

"Both India and Central Asia cannot achieve their full potential without each other. Nor will our people be safer and our region more stable without our cooperation."

"We will all work together to build the Silk Route of the 21st century. We will connect through space and cyber as we will by air, land and sea."

PM enthralls the youth of Kazakhstan at Nazarbayev University

Shri Modi presented President Nazarbayev a set of books relating to the religions born in India. The set includes an English translation of Guru Granth Sahib, Bhadrabahu’s Kalpasutra in Prakrit, Ashtasahasrika Prajnaparamita in Sanskrit. A Persian translation of Valmiki’s Ramayana in nastaliq script is also a part of the set. It may be added that President Nazarbayev has held the Congress of Leaders of

World and Traditional Religions every three years in Astana since 2003.

A Persian translation of Valmiki’s Ramayana in nastaliq script is also a part of the set. pic.twitter.com/SEtORKAvLA

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 8, 2015

Turkmenistan

After attending the BRICS and SCO Summits in Ufa, Russia, where he met several world leaders, the Prime Minister reached Turkmenistan on the evening of 10th July. This is the first visit by an Indian Prime Minister in twenty years. During the visit the PM held fruitful and productive discussions with President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov. The discussions were centered around India-Turkmenistan ties and India’s relations with Central Asia. Eight key agreements and MoUs were signed on science, energy, foreign affairs, Yoga, chemicals, fertilizers, defence and tourism during this visit.

PM Modi shared his vision and of the strong bond between India and Turkmenistan. He listed the TAPI Gas Pipeline as a landmark initiative of India-Turkmenistan ties.

“Our long standing and deep-rooted civilisational and cultural ties are well known. It has created a sense of familiarity and goodwill between our people. It is a strong foundation of close relations between our two countries.”

“India attaches great importance to this relationship. There is enormous potential for cooperation between India, a nation of 1.25 billion people with a large and rapidly growing economy, and Turkmenistan, a nation rich in resources.”

“As India deepens its relations with Central Asia, Turkmenistan will play a crucial role in it. We have shared interests in a peaceful and stable Afghanistan and Central Asia. We also have common purpose in combating terrorism and extremism in our region.”

“The most significant initiative in our relationship is the TAPI Gas Pipeline. This could transform regional economic cooperation and bring prosperity along the route.”

“We had a very positive discussion on India's interest in investment in downstream industries, including petrochemicals and fertilizer. The Memorandum of Understanding in the fertilizer sector will enable long term arrangements for supply of fertilizers from here to India.”

Know what the PM said during the joint press meet with President Berdimuhamedov.

List of agreements and MoUs signed

Two special events were a part of the visit to Turkmenistan- the inauguration of Traditional Medicine and Yoga Centre as well as a bust of Mahatma Gandhi.

Shri Modi witnessed a Yoga demonstration by youngsters and appreciated their enthusiasm towards Yoga. While unveiling the bust of Mahatma Gandhi, Shri Modi highlighted the greatness of Mahatma Gandhi and how his thoughts can make our world a much better place.

Connecting with Central Asia through Yoga and Gandhi ji.

Hindi is very popular in Turkmenistan, so are Hindi films and music. There are several people keen to learn the language. Prime Minister Modi had the opportunity to meet some youngsters who were learning Hindi. They impressed him with their wonderful singing of two Hindi songs.

Melodious singing by students learning in Hindi in Turkmenistan. https://t.co/rdOjLYolGY

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 11, 2015

And there is one more...इतनी शक्ति हमें देना दाता https://t.co/WMCO8ZaFfb

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 11, 2015

President Berdimuhamedov is a keen horse rider and is known for his passion in horse breeding, racing and equestrian. Shri Modi presented the President a specially handcrafted horse saddle.

Presented President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov a specially handcrafted horse saddle. http://t.co/uUyvQ6nCly pic.twitter.com/n95k0s9Xb1

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 11, 2015

Kyrgyzstan

Prime Minister Narendra Modi landed in Kyrgyzstan on the evening of 11th July 2015, where he was warmly received by the Prime Minister of Kyrgyzstan. Thus began the first visit by an Indian PM in twenty years. During his visit the PM met the top leadership of the Kyrgyz Republic, including President Atambayev, Prime Minister Sariyev and the Speaker of the Kyrgyz Parliament, Mr. Asylbek Jeenbekov.

1. Joint Press Meet

Addressing the joint press meet with President Atambayev, PM Modi said that the bond between India and Kyrgyzstan is special as this is a bond between two democracies. He spoke about the need to enhance economic ties with Kyrgyzstan so that it benefits both the nations. He welcomed the key agreements signed in culture and the agreements signed between the Election Commissions of the two nations for cooperation. Strong defence and security ties and the enthusiasm towards Yoga in Kyrgyzstan were also mentioned by the Prime Minister in his speech

Read the PM’s remarks at the joint press meet with President Atambayev

2. Gandhi ji in Bishkek

For the second time in his Central Asian visit, PM Narendra Modi unveiled a statue of Mahatma Gandhi. He expressed joy that he has got the honour to do so during this visit. He described Mahatma Gandhi as a ‘Vishwa Manav’, someone whose ideals have inspired the entire humankind. Shri Modi noted that the solution to two of the world’s big problems- terror and climate change lie in the ideals of Mahatma Gandhi.

Several youngsters belonging to the Indian community were present there and they were very happy to see the Prime Minister.

Read more: Shri Modi unveils the statue of Gandhi ji.

3. Visit to KIMBMRC

Shri Modi visited the Kyrgyz-India Biomedical Research Centre where he interacted with scientists and inaugurated Phase Two of the project, which is situated at Syok Pass at an altitude of 4000 meters. He even interacted with soldiers at the Too Ashu Laboratory and expressed hope that the centre will help soldiers serving at high altitudes.

4. Telemedicine Links

Tele-medicine links with India were launched by the Prime Minister. This is a first such link with India in the region. Shri Modi described this as a wonderful example of how technology can touch people’s lives. He witnessed a tele-consultation for a cardiac patient between doctors in Osh city in Southern Kyrgyzstan, with doctors in Bishkek and with the Apollo hospital and AIIMS in Delhi.

5. A Special Gift to a Special Friend

A hand-knotted carpet of very fine grade wool blended with silk was presented by the Prime Minister to President Atambayev.

Presented President Atambayev a hand-knotted carpet of very fine grade wool blended with silk. pic.twitter.com/t7G7pB2prj

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 12, 2015

Tajikistan

Be it the relatively short distance or a shared culture, India and Tajikistan share deep-rooted ties. Tajikistan was the final destination of the Prime Minister’s historic Central Asian tour. But, as the Prime Minister himself said, “I am delighted to visit Tajikistan. It is a beautiful country. This is the last stop on my visit to the five Central Asian countries. But, we sometimes save the special one for the last.”

He held fruitful talks with President Rahmon and lauded the President’s personal commitment towards stronger India-Tajikistan ties.

Economy and Trade

The Prime Minister emphasized on stronger economic ties with Tajikistan. Shri Modi affirmed, “We discussed measures to tap the rich potential in trade and commerce and to encourage joint ventures and investments. We have tasked our Joint Commission to meet soon and finalise a concrete roadmap to expand our trade and economic ties.”

Connectivity

Speaking about connectivity the PM said, “Connectivity is vital for realizing the full potential of trade and commerce between our countries. We agreed to promote the International North South Transport Corridor. Other connectivity initiatives such as our planned investment in Chahbahar Port in Iran and intention to join the Ashgabat agreement will help. But, I also hope that we can establish a direct link to India that would promote prosperity across the region.”

Defence

The defence ties between India and Tajikistan are very strong. Elaborating on that further Shri Modi pointed, “We agreed to further strengthen our defence cooperation. It is a strong pillar of our strategic partnership.”

We are both located in the proximity of the main source of terrorism. Combating terrorism and extremism has always been an important and productive area of cooperation. At a time of growing threat of terrorism, we have resolved to intensify our cooperation further.”

Know what the PM said about India-Tajikistan ties at the Joint Press Meet with President Rahmon

When Shri Narendra Modi travels overseas, he has attended several programmes on industry, investment, trade, economy, community events but in Tajikistan for the first time the Prime Minister attended a Workshop on Agriculture with President Rahmon.

Talking about the scope of cooperation in agriculture the Prime Minister said, “It should be natural for India and Tajikistan to collaborate in agriculture, live stocks and dairy (because) we share many similar natural features.”

He went on to talk about agriculture trajectory of India after 1947 and how India can help Tajikistan in making Tajikistan’s agriculture sector more productive. Shri Modi went on to list areas where India and Tajikistan can cooperate extensively.

Read the complete speech of the PM at the Workshop on Agriculture Cooperation

In Dushanbe the Prime Minister unveiled a bust of Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore. Speaking at the programme, which was attended by several people, the Prime Minister talked about the profound thoughts of Gurudev Tagore and the richness of his work. He pointed that Gurudev Tagore has the distinction of penning the national anthem of not one but two nations, referring to India and Bangladesh.

Shri Modi presented President Rahmon a specially commissioned miniature painting of the 17th century India poet, Abdul QadirBedil, who is regarded as a master of Persian poetry and enjoys tremendous popularity in Tajikistan. Bedil wrote 16 books of poetry and died in Delhi, where his tomb, Bagh-e-Bedil is located. The painting has been done by the national award winning artist, Jai Prakash.

Emphasizing on this Shri Modi avowed, “The popularity of Tagore’s poetry in Tajikistan, is mirrored in the continued admiration of Bedil’s poetry in India. This is our shared heritage, of which we can truly be proud.”

Presented President Rahmon a specially commissioned miniature painting of the tomb of the 17th century Indian poet Abdul Qadir Bedil.

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 13, 2015

Abdul Qadir Bedil is regarded as a master of Persian poetry, particularly in Tajikistan. Born in Patna, he was greatly influenced by Sufism.

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 13, 2015

16 books of poetry were written by Bedil. He died in Delhi, where his tomb Bagh-e-Bedil is located. pic.twitter.com/lsEL9IUVLq

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 13, 2015