MoS Meenakshi Lekhi attended plenary of the 6th summit of the CICA in Astana on October 12-13

Minister of State for External Affairs Meenakshi Lekhi called for greater efforts by the member countries of the Conference of Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA) to counter all forms of terrorism during her remarks at the group’s summit in Astana in Kazakhstan.

Held on October 12-13, the 6th summit of the CICA was also attended by Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. Leading the Indian delegation as Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Special Envoy, Meenakshi Lekhi at the CICA summit reaffirmed India’s support for the group’s initiatives.

In her remarks, MoS Lekhi highlighted ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ as a guiding principle of India’s approach to international relations, including in the context of India’s contribution to the fight against Covid-19.

On the sidelines of the CICA Summit, MoS Lelhi met Vice President of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam Vo Thi Anh Xuan and discussed various issues of bilateral cooperation.

During her visit, MoS Lekhi unveiled a life-size statue of Mahatma Gandhi in Astana in the presence of Kazakh dignitaries.

This is the second statue of Mahatma Gandhi installed in Kazakhstan. MoS Lekhi also interacted with the ICCR and ITEC Alumni from Kazakhstan and highlighted their role in further strengthening the vibrant people-to-people contacts between the two countries.

MoS Lekhi planted a “tree of friendship” at the campus of the Astana Medical University (AMU) and interacted with the Indian students at AMU.

She held discussions with the Kazakh Vice-Minister of Health Zhandos Konysovich Burkitbayev on issues related to the welfare of Indian students in Kazakhstan.

This year marks the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between India and Kazakhstan. The visit of MoS has imparted a fresh momentum to the long-standing strategic partnership between the two countries.