New Delhi, 4-6 March 2026 – During a working visit to New Delhi, the Secretary General of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA), H.E. Ambassador Kairat Sarybay, held consultations with representatives of Indian governmental institutions, analytical centers, academia and the business community, and participated in a panel discussion within the framework of the Raisina Dialogue 2026.
The discussions focused on strengthening cooperation across CICA’s dimensions, as well as advancing practical initiatives aimed at promoting dialogue, connectivity and sustainable development in Asia.
During a meeting with Ms. Muanpuii Saiawi, Joint Secretary of the Ministry of External Affairs of India, the parties reviewed progress in the CICA transformation process, including ongoing negotiations on the draft CICA Charter. The Secretary General expressed appreciation for India’s constructive engagement in the Charter discussions and emphasized the importance of maintaining close coordination in preparation for the Seventh CICA Summit to be held in Baku in 2026. The discussion also addressed cooperation in combating terrorism, where India serves as Coordinator within CICA framework.
Consultations with H.E. Mr. Shri Ngulkham Jathom Gangte, Acting Director General of the Indian Council of World Affairs (ICWA) and Chair of the CICA Think Tank Forum, focused on priorities for analytical cooperation within CICA. Ambassador Sarybay congratulated ICWA on assuming leadership of the Think Tank Forum for 2026–2027, and the parties discussed preparations for the upcoming 14th meeting of the Forum, as well as opportunities to expand policy dialogue and capacity-building initiatives.
In discussion with Dr. Sarah Jayal Sawkmie, Director at the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports of India, the Secretary General elaborated on opportunities to further promote youth engagement through CICA initiatives, including activities of the CICA Youth Council aimed at strengthening peopleto-people contacts across the region.
Ambassador Sarybay also met with Dr. Preetam B. Yashvant, Joint Secretary of the Ministry of Women and Child Development of India, to discuss advancing women’s empowerment through CICA initiatives. The parties exchanged views on preparations for the inaugural meeting of the CICA Women Council, scheduled for 14 April 2026 in Baku, as well as the upcoming side event on women’s empowerment to be held on the margins of the 70th session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (CSW70) in New York.
Additionally, the Secretary General met with Prof. Yogesh Singh, Vice Chancellor of the University of Delhi, to discuss academic cooperation through the Partnership Network of Leading Universities of CICA Member States (PNLU). The parties exchanged views on expanding joint research, academic exchanges and policy dialogue among universities participating in the Network.
During a meeting with Mr. Manish Mohan, Senior Director of the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), the discussion focused on strengthening economic cooperation through the CICA Business Council, including initiatives aimed at promoting business-to-business interaction, trade and investment. Particular attention was given to cooperation among small and medium-sized enterprises, including the Secretariat’s initiative to develop the “SME Landscape in Asia: Interactive Guidebook.”
As part of the visit, Ambassador Sarybay participated in a session of the Raisina Dialogue 2026 titled “The Heartland Revisited: Central Asia Reimagined,” organized by the NatStrat think tank. In his remarks, he noted that Central Asia is evolving from a land-locked region into an increasingly land-linked and interconnected sub-region, supported by growing regional cooperation, border settlement agreements and expanding connectivity initiatives.
He highlighted major infrastructure and energy projects linking Central Asia with wider Asian markets and emphasized that sustainable connectivity must be accompanied by confidence building, transparency and cooperative approaches among states. Ambassador Sarybay underscored that CICA provides an inclusive multilateral platform for advancing dialogue on security and development across Asia.
The meetings reaffirmed India’s active engagement in CICA activities and underscored the importance of continued coordination ahead of the Seventh CICA Summit in Baku in 2026, with a view to strengthening dialogue, connectivity and mutually beneficial cooperation across Asia.
