During the first historic launch of the India-Central Asia dialogue in January 2019 which was attended by the Foreign Ministers of India and Five Central Asia countries (Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan), there was a consensus that it was time for the leading business chambers from the six countries to forge an institutionalised platform for promoting business and economic ties between them.

To activate the process, Ministry of External Affairs, GoI mandated Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry(FICCI) to lead the initiative from India’s side. India-Central Asia Business Council was launched on February 6, 2020 in New Delhi in presence of Dr. S. Jaishankar, Hon’ble External Affairs Minister of India and Six Presidents of apex industry associations from these countries.

The second meeting of ICABC was virtually organised on October 28, 2020.

During the second meeting, the joint declaration was agreed and signed. The Council also constituted ‘four working groups’ in sectors specific to Energy (Oil and Gas & Renewable Energy), Agro, Food-Processing and Textiles, Tourism, Air Corridors, Pharmaceutical, life-sciences and healthcare.

The third meeting of the India-Central Asia Business Council is scheduled to take place on March 15, 2022 in Uzbekistan.