New Delhi: India will put forth its views on trans-border terrorism and the need for a stable Afghanistan at the third Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building
Measures in Asia (CICA) in Istanbul Tuesday.
Situation in Afghanistan and Israel`s widely criticised attack on a Gaza aid flotilla are expected to be two issues which will dominate the day-long summit, where India is being
represented by Commerce and Industry Minister Anand Sharma.
The Kazakhstan-based CICA has 20 members, including Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, China, Egypt, India, Iran, Israel, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Pakistan, Palestine,
South Korea, Russia, Tajikistan, Thailand and UAE and helps in increasing cooperation towards promoting peace, security and stability in Asia.
Pakistan will be represented by its Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi at the summit during which the host country, Turkey, is also expected to mount pressure on Israel to end the economic blockade against the Palestinians.
Israel has conveyed its decision to send only a diplomat from its consulate to participate in the summit.
India`s ambassador to Turkey R S Jassal and Latha Reddy, Secretary (East) in External Affairs Ministry and other officials will assist Sharma at the deliberations.
Vietnam and Iraq will join CICA as members at this summit.
Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Qatar, Vietnam, Ukraine and USA and three international organisations, including United Nations have observer status in CICA.
Bureau Report
