<span style="color: #222222;">The government today said country's Extended Neighbourhood policy includes the development of strong and multi-faceted relations with countries in Central Asia, Gulf, West Asia and the Indo-pacific region. Replying to a question in the Lok Sabha, minister of state External Affairs V Muraleedharan said there is a greater emphasis on enhancement of economic, security and defence relations with the countries in the extended neighbourhood for mutual benefit. The minister said, the first India Central Asia summit was hosted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in virtual format on 27th of last month. Mr Muraleedharan said the summit was attended by the leaders of five Cental Asian countries. He said this was the first of its kind summit between India and the Central Asian countries that coincided with the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between India and the Central Asian countries.<br />''<br />''The minister informed the House that a major outcome of the summit was the institutionalization of the summit mechanism comprising leaders level meetings every two years. Mr Muraleedharan said there was a strong convergence of views on combating terrorism, extremism, radicalization and drug trafficking in the region and a broad regional consensus on Afghanistan.</span><br />