External Affairs Minister Yashwant Sinha today underlined the importance of Central Asia from the Indian perspective, saying that New Delhi was looking at greater economic engagement with the region.At the India-Central Asia Conference at Tashkent, Sinha outlined the plan for a 200-km road between Zaranj and Delaran in Afghanistan. ‘‘Once this road is complete, it will reduce by 1,500 km the distance between India and Central Asia,’’ he said.Sinha pointed out that India was one of the first countries to have missions in all Central Asian countries. ‘‘Our desire for multiple transport links with Central Asia is in tune with our economic progress. India has become a major centre for outsourcing.’’Of the 10 scholarships of the Institute of Defence Studies and Analyses, two would be given to Central Asian scholars, he said.
