Will start a new phase in ties with Central Asia: Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Tuesday that India's engagement with Central Asia has been "short of promise and potential" and he is determined to change it with closer cooperation.

In his address at the Nazarbayev University, Modi said: "The engagement between India and Central Asia falls short of promise and potential."

He said that while Central Asia has a special place in India's heart but not much attention has been given to it.

"This will change, that is why I am travelling in the early part of my government. India and Central Asia cannot achieve their full potential without each other. I am here to start a new phase in relations with Central Asia."

He said both sides would work together in the sector of minerals, industry, pharma, engineering and small and medium industries.

Also touching on terrorism, Modi said that Central Asia and India will combat the scourge "by the strength of our values and our commitment to humanism".

"Today we see terrorism spawned by nations and groups. Cyber space has become a platform without borders for terror to draw recruits."