Russia unlikely to face criticism at Central Asian meeting
Russia is unlikely to face backlash over its war in Ukraine from Central Asian foreign ministers and instead could flex its influence at their regional meeting Friday
PANAJI, India (AP) — Russia is unlikely to face backlash over its war in Ukraine at an upcoming meeting of Central Asian foreign ministers and instead could flex its influence with the regional group.
The meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization ministers Friday in India’s picturesque state of Goa is the latest avenue for the host nation to burnish its geopolitical credentials as it seeks to cement itself as a consequential global player.
It won’t have to contend with an East-West split over the war in Europe, which caused frustration for New Delhi as the chair for this year's meetings of the Group of 20 leading economies. But India will be looking to secure its own interests in the region, especially as Russia relies more deeply on India's rival China as Moscow’s invasion drags on, analysts say.
India will also be hosting archrival Pakistan’s foreign minister in the first visit from a high-ranking official in nearly a decade.
