Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said that both India and Central Asia cannot achieve their full potential without each other.
"Our defence and security cooperation is growing. Trade is expanding, but it is still modest. Our cooperation in energy sector has begun. Later today, we will launch the drilling of the first oil well with Indian investments in Kazakhstan. Indian investments in Central Asia have started flowing in. And, so have Indian tourists in growing numbers," he said in his address at the Nazarbayev University in Kazakhstan's Astana.
Prime Minister Modi further said that more than 50 flights a week connect the five Central Asian capitals to India.
"And, it takes about the same time as it would take to fly to Chennai from Delhi. Our strongest progress is in human resource development. Thousands of professionals and students from Central Asia have trained in India. Many from India come to the universities in the region. We have established Centres of Excellence in Information and Communication Technology in the region. And, we are also pleased that we have three Indian cultural centres in the region," he added.
He said that yet, we will be the first to say that the engagement between India and Central Asia falls short of its promise and potential.
"We have a special place in our hearts for each other. But, we have not paid as much attention to each other as we should. This will change. That is why I am travelling to all five countries in the region in the early stages of my Government. 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," he added.
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The Prime Minister further mentioned that India constitutes one-sixth of humanity.
"It is a nation of 800 million youth that is an enormous force of progress and change for India and the world. Our economy is growing at 7.5 percent every year. We can sustain higher growth rates long into the future. India is the new frontier of opportunities for the world. Central Asia is a vast region of immense resources, talented people, rapid growth and a strategic location," he added.
Prime Minister Modi said that he is here to start a new era in India's relationship with Central Asia as India is prepared to invest more in a new partnership of prosperity.
"We will work together not just in minerals and energy, but in industries such as pharmaceuticals, textiles, engineering and small and medium enterprises. We can invest in refineries, petrochemicals and fertilizer plants here. We can harness our strength in information and communication technology to create wealth and opportunities for our youth. Today, I will inaugurate a Centre of Excellence in Astana with a Super Computer from India," he added.