On September 24, 2020 External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar participated in the Special Virtual Ministerial Meeting of Foreign Ministers of Conference on Interaction & Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA).
During the session, the member countries discussed the joint fight against COVID-19, International and Regional Situations and CICA cooperation in various fields.
Highlights:
i.During the meeting, EAM highlighted India’s response to COVID-19 and its contribution to partner countries in CICA.
ii.The Meeting saw the transfer of Chairmanship of CICA from Tajikistan to Kazakhstan, and the appointment of new executive director and exchange of views on future endeavours.
iii.EAM also highlighted India-Central Asia cooperation and Indo-Pacific Ocean’s Initiative.
iv.India also reaffirmed its support for Afghan peace process.
Conference on Interaction & Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA):
i.It is a forum aimed at enhancing cooperation through elaborating multilateral approaches promoting peace, security and stability in Asia.
ii.It has 27 members, 8 observer states and 5 observer organizations.
iii.CICA was established at the initiative of President Nursultan Nazarbayev of Kazakhstan outlined at the 47th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) of 1992.
iv.India has been a member of CICA since its inception in 1999. India co-chairs two CICA CBMs (Confidence Building Measures) on ‘Development of Secure and Effective Systems of Transportation Corridors’ and Energy Security.
Recent Related News:
i.On April 28, 2020, BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) Foreign Ministers meeting on coronavirus was held through video conferencing, which was opened by Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. It should be noted that Russia is the Chair of BRICS for 2020.
ii.On 13th May 2020, External Affairs Minister(EAM) S.Jaishankar participated in a virtual conference of foreign ministers hosted by Russia from Shanghai Cooperation Organisation(SCO) member states.
About Conference on Interaction & Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA):
Executive Director – Habibullo Mirzozoda
Secretariat – Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan
