India has called on member states of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA) to unite against all forms of terrorism, including cross-border terrorism, while stressing that regional connectivity projects must respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all member states.
Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh led the Indian delegation to the 7th CICA Summit in Baku, Azerbaijan, on October 15. Addressing the plenary session, he reaffirmed India’s commitment to inclusive multilateral cooperation, regional security and peace in Asia.
According to the Ministry of External Affairs, Singh highlighted India’s active participation in CICA activities and urged member states to strengthen collective efforts against terrorism.
He reiterated that regional connectivity projects must be transparent, financially viable and inclusive, while strictly respecting the national sovereignty and territorial integrity of all member states.
The Minister also highlighted India’s guiding philosophy of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, meaning “The World Is One Family”, as a foundation for promoting peace, cooperation and friendship among nations.
The summit brought together CICA member states to discuss ways to deepen regional cooperation, build mutual trust and promote peace across Asia.
Baku Declaration adopted
The 7th CICA Summit adopted the Baku Declaration, which highlighted the importance of connectivity, digitalisation and sustainable growth in strengthening confidence-building measures and promoting development across Asia.
India, a founding member of CICA, reiterated its commitment to the forum as an important platform for inclusive dialogue, consensus-building and regional cooperation.
CICA is a multinational forum that seeks to promote peace, security and cooperation across Asia, recognising the close links between regional and global stability.
The initiative was proposed by Kazakhstan’s then President, Nursultan Nazarbayev, at the 47th session of the United Nations General Assembly in 1992, with the aim of establishing a framework for peace and security in Asia.
