India, Central Asia pledge joint action on health and climate
New Delhi [India], June 6 (ANI): At the 4th India-Central Asia Dialogue held in New Delhi on Friday, the foreign ministers of India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan reiterated their commitment to collaborative approaches to global public health, sustainable development, and climate resilience.
The meeting underscored shared priorities, including India's One Earth, One Health vision, the DAKSHIN initiative for South-South cooperation, glacier preservation, and clean energy platforms like the International Solar Alliance (ISA).
Health cooperation was a core theme of the discussions, with all sides expressing their desire to deepen collaboration in the healthcare sector, including medical tourism.
Under the One Earth, One Health framework, the Ministers agreed to jointly enhance healthcare infrastructure and service delivery across Central Asia and promote the use of traditional medicine. India offered technical support to help design Universal Health Coverage (UHC) models tailored for Central Asian contexts. The Ministers also agreed to explore the possibility of establishing a Joint Working Group on Cooperation in Healthcare, read the Joint Statement of the 4th India-Central Asia Dialogue.
Capacity building and knowledge sharing remained another key pillar of the dialogue. To further their commitment to South-South cooperation, the Ministers agreed to work closely with India's Global South Centre of Excellence--DAKSHIN (Development and Knowledge Sharing Initiative). The platform will facilitate the exchange of development experiences to solve shared challenges using inclusive and scalable models.
Climate resilience and environmental protection are also prominent. The Ministers commended the First High-Level International Conference on Glaciers' Preservation held in Dushanbe from May 29 to 31, 2025, organised in observance of the International Year of Glaciers' Preservation and World Glaciers' Day. The meeting emphasised the vital link between glaciers and sustainable socio-economic development, particularly for mountain regions dependent on freshwater sources, added the statement.
In line with the Sustainable Development Goals, India highlighted the role of the International Solar Alliance (ISA) and invited Central Asian nations to join. The Ministers acknowledged ISA's importance as a mechanism for advancing the implementation of the Paris Agreement and for building clean, inclusive energy futures. India also encouraged participation in related initiatives such as the Global Biofuels Alliance (GBA) and the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI).
The dialogue reflected a growing convergence between India and Central Asia on holistic, cross-sectoral cooperation. The Ministers thanked the Government of India for its warm hospitality and agreed to continue expanding these partnerships in the years ahead. (ANI)
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
India Gazette
an hour ago
- India Gazette
J-K: BJP hosts yoga session in Srinagar as India marks 11th International Yoga Day
Srinagar (Jammu and Kashmir), June 21 (ANI): Marking the occasion of the 11th International Day of Yoga, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) organised a yoga session at the Ghanta Ghar in Lal Chowk, Srinagar, on Saturday morning. Several participants, including party workers, locals, and yoga enthusiasts, began gathering early at the prominent city square, which has historically held political significance in the region. While the celebrations unfolded in Srinagar, the central event of the day was held in Visakhapatnam, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi led the nationwide observance of International Yoga Day. Addressing a large gathering along the city's scenic coastline, the Prime Minister described yoga as a timeless gift that transcends age, borders, and backgrounds--uniting humanity in 'health and harmony.' The event took place against the scenic backdrop of the Visakhapatnam coastline, with Indian Navy ships stationed near the shore, adding to the grandeur of the celebrations. The Prime Minister praised the efforts of the Andhra Pradesh government and extended his appreciation to Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu and Jana Sena Party chief Pawan Kalyan for hosting the event in Visakhapatnam. He lauded their leadership as 'inspiring' and described the state's initiative to promote yoga as 'commendable. Over three lakh individuals joined him for a mass yoga session in the coastal city, reinforcing this year's message that 'yoga belongs to everyone' and brings the world together. The Prime Minister recalled India's initiative at the United Nations in 2014 to declare June 21 as International Yoga Day, a move that received wide global support in record time. The theme for this year is 'Yoga for One Earth, One Health,' which echoes India's vision of global wellness and reflects the integrated vision of well-being. It emphasises the interconnectedness of human and planetary health, drawing from the Indian ethos of 'Sarve Santu Niramaya' (May all be free from disease). The message is clear--Yoga is not only a gift of India to the world, but also a pathway for a healthier, harmonious, and more sustainable future for all. (ANI)
India Gazette
an hour ago
- India Gazette
Japan PM's wife Yoshiko Ishiba participates in International Yoga Day celebrations
Tokyo [Japan], June 21 (ANI): The Indian Embassy in Japan celebrated the International Day of Yoga, with the participation of more than 2000 yoga enthusiasts. Japan Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba's wife, Yoshiko Ishiba, inaugurated the event and performed yoga. Japan Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya's wife, Satoko Iwaya, also attended the event. India's Ambassador to Japan, Sibi George, addressed the gathering of more than 2000 yoga enthusiasts. The Indian Embassy said that senior government officials, resident ambassadors, diplomats and friends of India in Japan attended the event. In a post on X, the Indian Embassy in Japan stated, 'Glimpses of the 11th International Day of Yoga 2025 in Tokyo! Inaugurated by Madam Yoshiko Ishiba, Spouse of Hon'ble PM of Japan. Occasion was graced by Madam Satoko Iwaya, Spouse of the Hon'ble Foreign Minister. Ambassador @AmbSibiGeorge addressed the gathering of over two thousand yoga enthusiasts. Also, marked by presence of Reverend Myoken Hayama & Reverend Tomohiro Kimura of Tsukiji Hongwanji, Spouse of Ambassador Madam Joice Sibi, senior government officials, Resident Ambassadors and diplomats and friends of India in Japan.' Every year, the 11th International Day of Yoga (IDY) is celebrated on June 21. This year marks the 11th International Day of Yoga with the theme 'Yoga for One Earth, One Health', which echoes a vital truth that personal wellness and planetary health are inseparably linked. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday took part in the 11th International Day of Yoga celebrations, where he hailed yoga as a gift 'beyond age' that transcends all boundaries and unites humanity in 'health and harmony.' The event took place against the scenic backdrop of the Visakhapatnam coastline, with Indian Navy ships stationed near the shore, adding to the grandeur of the celebrations. Over three lakh individuals joined him for a mass yoga session in the coastal city, reinforcing this year's message that 'yoga belongs to everyone' and brings the world together. According to a United Nations statement, yoga strengthens the body, calms the mind, and fosters a heightened sense of awareness and responsibility in daily life. This mindfulness allows one to choose healthier and more sustainable lifestyles. In 2014, the United Nations declared June 21 as the International Day of Yoga by resolution 69/131. The draft resolution establishing the International Day of Yoga was proposed by India and endorsed by a record 175 member states. PM Modi first introduced the proposal in his address during the opening of the 69th session of the General Assembly. (ANI)
India Gazette
an hour ago
- India Gazette
"Proof of PM Modi's efforts to promote Indian values": Union Minister Jitendra Singh on International Yoga Day
Udhampur (Jammu and Kashmir) [India], June 21 (ANI): Union Minister Jitendra Singh on Saturday hailed Prime Minister Narendra Modi's efforts to 'promote Indian values' as International Yoga Day gets celebrated and practised the world over in various cities. 'Today, International Yoga Day is celebrated worldwide today and this is proof of the efforts of PM Modi to promote Indian values throughout the world,' the Union Minister told ANI. The union minister made the remarks after participating in the Yoga program organised at the Indoor Stadium Ramnagar in Jammu and Kashmir's Udhampur district to celebrate International Day of Yoga 2025. Visuals from the stadium showed Singh performing various stretching exercises and breathing exercises. Earlier today, multiple leaders, including Chief Ministers of various states and multiple Union Ministers, performed Yoga with various community members on International Yoga Day, as part of a nationwide effort led by PM Modi to promote health. Earlier today, Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Mansukh Mandaviya extended wishes on the International Yoga Day and urged everyone to do Yoga regularly to stay healthy. Speaking to the media about International Yoga Day, Mansukh Mandaviya said, 'I extend best wishes to everyone on the occasion of International Day of Yoga. Yoga is our culture, and it should be included in our everyday life. I urge everyone to perform Yoga regularly to stay healthy.' PM Modi too, earlier urged the international community to embrace 'inner peace' as a 'global policy' and make yoga a collective global responsibility. Speaking at the 11th International Day of Yoga celebrations in Visakhapatnam, the Prime Minister called upon countries to adopt yoga not just as a personal or cultural practice, but as a unifying force for humanity. 'I would like to take this opportunity to urge the global community on this important occasion to let this International Yoga Day mark the beginning of Yoga for Humanity. Let this be the day when inner peace becomes a global policy, where yoga is embraced not just as a personal practice, but as a powerful tool for global partnership and unity. Let every country and every society make yoga a shared responsibility, a common contribution toward collective well-being,' the Prime Minister said. The Prime Minister also reflected on India's 2014 proposal at the United Nations to declare June 21 as International Yoga Day and how, in record time, over 170 countries supported the move. He said that yoga has since grown into a worldwide practice that symbolises peace, balance, and cooperation. This year's celebrations saw participation from lakhs of people across states. (ANI)
