Heart of Asia Conference –
2016
Venue: New Delhi
Theme: “Addressing Challenges, Achieving Prosperity”
The
Heart of Asia (HoA) conference has begun in New Delhi with the objective of
bringing peace and stability to Afghanistan and speeding up its reconstruction
with a focus on enhancing investment and connectivity to the country. The
conference was attended by officials of a number of countries including
Pakistan.
The
conference was attended by officials of a number of countries including
Pakistan Foreign Secretary Aizaz Ahmed Chaudhry, who deliberated on a host of
issues like combating challenge of extremism and terrorism.
The
key elements of HoA process have been to devise a sustained, incremental
approach to implementation of the confidence building measures (CBM) in
Afghanistan and the officials are set to deliberate on them during the
conference.
Energy,
infrastructure and investment deals to shore up economic growth of Afghanistan
may figure in the talks.
India
hosted the senior officials meeting of the Istanbul process in January 2014 in
New Delhi and is set to host the Sixth Ministerial Conference of the HoA
Process in the last quarter of this year.
Here is the
following speech made by Foreign Secretary, Mr. S. Jaishankar:
·
The theme of this
year’s Heart of Asia process is "Addressing
Challenges, Achieving Prosperity”. As participating countries of the Heart
of Asia Process, the countries in the region are aware that the situation in
Afghanistan, owing to its location at the Heart of Asia, has enormous bearing
on regional peace, security and economic growth. The challenges that
Afghanistan and the Heart of Asia region face are similar. For our stable and
prosperous region, a strong, peaceful, prosperous and democratic Afghanistan is
an imperative. Such an Afghanistan will be a bridge of connectivity between
East and West, and Central and South Asia. That is what Afghanistan was, as
history tells us, and therein lies our future.
·
To achieve
progress and prosperity together, we need to address challenges together. This
is not only in Afghanistan’s interest, but in the interest of the whole of the
Heart of Asia region. It is our collective and individual responsibility to
help and support Afghanistan in combating the challenges it faces to its
stability and security.
·
Democracy has
taken roots in Afghanistan not merely as an institution but as the country’s
way of life. We acknowledge the role of the country’s leadership in steering
Afghanistan through a difficult and challenging phase of witnessing multiple
transitions. These challenges are made all the more daunting amidst violence
unleashed on the Afghan people. We are confident that the efforts of the
leaders and the people of the Afghanistan will ensure peaceful, democratic and
inclusive governance for the whole of the country. Whole-hearted support of the
region in this endeavour, I trust, is available to Afghanistan for building a
glorious future. Excellencies,
·
India feels
honoured to be an active participant in the Heart of Asia Process and also to
be the lead country for the Trade, Commerce and Investment Opportunities CBM of
the Heart of Asia process. This CBM is aimed at more regional economic
interaction and cooperation. The objective is to create conducive conditions
for Afghanistan to thrive on trade and not depend on aid. Creating more
employment opportunities is also important to wean youth lured to narcotics,
extremism, terrorism and other criminal activities. More jobs and economic
avenues in Afghanistan and would create the conducive conditions for Afghans to
stay and contribute to its development. Excellencies,
·
At Islamabad
Ministerial last December, the External Affairs Minister of India had stressed
the importance of connectivity of Afghanistan to regional markets such as
India. She had said that if arteries remain clogged, ‘Heart cannot function
properly’.
·
Connectivity in the region has to be the centrepiece
of all our efforts to enhance trade, commerce and investment among regional
countries. Better connectivity can enable more investment and private sector
participation. It can help fully harness Afghanistan’s trade and transit
potential. It will also serve to tap Afghanistan’s vast natural and human
resources. Afghanistan can emerge as a hub of regional trade and energy
arteries. Afghanistan, Iran and India are waiting to develop trilateral transit
through Chahbahar in Iran. India is also willing to avail of other regional and
trans-regional connectivity initiatives such as the North – South Transport
Corridor and the Ashgabat Agreement.
·
Better regional
economic connectivity will bring growth and prosperity to millions of people in
the region. Better connectivity means more prosperity and more peace and
stability. I request this meeting of Senior Officials of the Heart of Asia
process to examine these aspects and come up with specific suggestions to
enhance connectivity and shared prosperity.
·
I wish that the
Senior Officials Meeting will have a stimulating and productive interaction. I
do hope to see you in India for the Sixth Ministerial Conference later this
year.
About the conference:
·
The Heart of
Asia-Istanbul Process presents a new vision of cooperation and confidence
building for the region with Afghanistan at its centre.
·
The Heart of
Asia-Istanbul Process articulates a set of principles, such as respect for
sovereignty and territorial integrity, and promoting cooperation in the areas
of common challenges and shared interests in the region.
·
It provides a
platform for discussing key regional issues among participating states.
·
Since its
inception in 2011, the Heart of Asia-Istanbul Process has been lead by two
co-chairs: Afghanistan as a permanent co-chair, and one of the Heart of Asia
countries hosting the annual ministerial meeting as the co-chair.
·
As permanent
co-chair of this regional process, Afghanistan has been recognized as the main
focal point/ coordinator of the Heart of Asia-Istanbul Process.
The 14 participating countries in HoA process
are|
Afghanistan
|
Azerbaijan
|
|
China
|
India
|
|
Iran
|
Kazakhstan
|
|
Kyrgyzstan
|
Pakistan
|
|
Russia
|
Saudi Arabia
|
|
Tajikistan
|
Turkey
|
|
Turkmenistan
|
UAE
|
|
Supporting Countries
|
|
|
Australia
|
Canada
|
|
Denmark
|
Egypt
|
|
Finland
|
France
|
|
Germany
|
Italy
|
|
Iraq
|
Japan
|
|
Norway
|
Poland
|
|
Spain
|
Sweden
|
|
UK
|
US
|
|
European Union
|
|
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