India on Thursday reaffirmed its support for the Conference on Interaction and Confidence-Building Measures in Asia’s (CICA) initiative on peace, security and prosperity in Asia.

Participating in the Special Ministerial Meeting of Foreign Ministers meeting of CICA, EAM S Jaishankar talked about India’s efforts in response to the Covid-19 pandemic and India’s contribution to partner countries in CICA and beyond.

While congratulating Kazakhstan on assuming the Chair of CICA, the EAM underlined India’s traditional ties with Central Asia, shared perspectives on counter-terrorism and Afghanistan.

Tweeting about his participation at CICA meet, EAM S Jaishankar said, “Participated in the Special Ministerial Meeting of Foreign Ministers of the Conference on Interaction & Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA) underlined India’s commitment to a pluralistic cooperative security order in Asia through CICA. This is needed more than ever before.”

Participated in the Special Ministerial Meeting of Foreign Ministers of the Conference on Interaction & Confidence Building Measures in Asia #CICA

Underlined India’s commitment to a pluralistic cooperative security order in Asia through CICA.This is needed more than ever before. pic.twitter.com/1oy3cZddNd

— Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) September 24, 2020

The meeting witnessed the transfer of the Chairmanship of CICA from Tajikistan to Kazakhstan; appointment of new Executive Director and exchange of views on the future endeavours of CICA, including cooperation in mitigating the effects of COVID-19 pandemic.

India is a member of CICA since its inception in 1999 and has been actively participating in various activities conducted under the aegis of CICA. India also co-chairs two CICA CBMs on ‘Development of Secure and Effective Systems of Transportation Corridors,’ and ‘Energy Security’.