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| Azad addresses gathering of scholars, historians, social-scientists, intellectuals | | ‘Various historical routes crisscrossing Kashmir & Central Asia were source of economics effluence in entire region’ | | Srinagar August 28 – “ The importance of Central Asia spread from great landmass from the Caspian sea in the West to great wall of China in the East, from the irtysh divide in the North to the Hindu Kush in the South from the historical fact that it was abode of great civilization and Kashmir culture, art and craft had its effective influence”, said Chief Minister Mr. Ghulam Nabi Azad while speaking to a galaxy of scholars, historians, intellectuals, social scientists who have assembled in Kashmir University to participate 4-day international conference on Central Asia in retrospect and prospect, organized by Centre of Central Asian Studies University of Kashmir commenced here today.
The Chief Minister pointed out in his lecture that India’s historical and cultural relations with Central Asian Region dates back to the Bronze Age of 5th millennium BC. He said these relations were further strengthened during Mughal period for their natural affirmative for the region as founder of Mughal Emperor Babar belonged to fergana valley of Central Asia.
The Chief Minister underscored the importance of trade between India and Central Asia. He pointed out that Kashmir during the past was vital link for trade with its rich network of routes crisscrossing the valley at many points across parts of the Central Asia. He said the great silk route was the central of trade and commerce even before the rest of the world had learnt anything about international economy. He said priests, traders, merchants traveled through these routes for strengthening the relationship between the people.
Mr. Azad said that at present keeping in view emergence of various states in the Central Asia during last decades and their culture affinity with us, the geo-strategic, geo-political and geo-economics relations between India and Central Asian countries are required to be strengthened. He recalled with great nostalgia his visits to Central Asia and the love and effection he received from its people.
He said the emergence of independent states in Central Asia in the 1990s dramatically altered the geo-political situation of this vast region. He said Central Asia which seemed to have been marginalized, once again assumed a strategically important role in the foreign policy calculation of major powers adding as a result, few regions in the world have better experienced the reality of contemporary international relations, governed by the twin principles of cooperation and conflict as Central Asia has.
He further pointed out that the recent studies on global environment and sustainable development predict water scarcity, shrinking farmland, Biodiversity reduction, higher temperatures and increasing acid trains during the first half of the 21st century. He said the two main problems in the region will be water management and wasteland development. He said wasteland is the land which has been damaged and has suffered degradation due to interalia, its over use, its wrong use and its uncared for state. “Wasteland Development Programme is in vogue in Central Asia and degenerating and unproductive land is to be protected, rehabilitated and developed”, he maintained.
He said on both these issues, there is much scope for collaboration and India has a rich experience of dealing with these problems and can easily share its knowledge and experience with the Central Asia States.
Earlier, Vice Chancellor Kashmir University Prof. Abdul Wahid in his address said that during the 4-day conference a number of programmes to highlight the changes that have occurred in Central Asia in past and the trend that is getting developed at the movement there. He said that delegates from various Central Asian countries are participating in the conference.
Prof. Gregory Gleasong in his keynote address said that discussions would be held on Indo-Central-Asian relations, historical prospective in Central Asia, Social-economic and other developments, geo-economics and geo-politics in Central Asia by the experts on the subject.
On the occasion the Chief Minister also released a book titled “Tuhfat-ul-Ahbad” and later visited Alame-Iqbal library and centre for International Asian Museum of Kashmir University. |
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