India-Central Asia Relations
Source: Indian Express
GS II: Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests.
Overview
- India’s engagement with Central Asia is driven by shared interests in regional security, energy security, critical minerals, connectivity and economic cooperation.
- Connectivity initiatives such as Chabahar Port and INSTC provide India with alternative access to the resource-rich region, overcoming geographical barriers posed by Pakistan.
- China’s growing presence, instability in Afghanistan and wider geopolitical shifts underline the need for India to strengthen its strategic presence and partnerships in Central Asia.
- Civilisational ties and platforms such as the SCO provide a foundation for deeper cooperation in security, trade, connectivity and people-to-people relations.
Why in the News?
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to visit Central Asia including a bilateral visit to Kyrgz Republic, followed by participation in the 26th Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Summit.
News in Brief
- Central Asia is strategically important because of its mineral resources, energy potential, geographical location and connectivity opportunities.
- The visit highlights India’s growing engagement with Central Asia in the context of strategic competition, connectivity, energy security, terrorism and economic cooperation.
- The region is also important for India’s plans to access resource-rich Central Asia through alternative connectivity routes, particularly the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC) and Chabahar Port.
- India seeks greater engagement with the region amid the growing influence of China and Russia, the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan and evolving regional security challenges.
Resource Potential by Country
- Central Asia is exceptionally rich in minerals, making it a cornerstone for India’s future energy security, critical minerals and economic interests.
- Kazakhstan: Uranium, coal, lead, zinc, gold, and iron ore.
- Turkmenistan: Home to some of the world’s largest natural gas reserves.
- Uzbekistan: Significant reserves of gold and uranium.
- Kyrgyz Republic: Rich in gold and hydro-power potential.
- Tajikistan: Possesses vast hydro-power potential and natural gas.
Core Pillars of Strategic Importance
Security Cooperation
- Following the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan, both India and Central Asian nations share deep anxieties regarding regional stability.
- Cooperation is vital to combat;
- Terrorism and religious radicalisation
- Cross-border instability
- The regrouping of extremist outfits like the Islamic State
Countering China’s Influence
- China has aggressively expanded its footprint in this traditional Russian sphere of influence through its Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).
- India’s active engagement serves as a strategic balancing act to ensure the region’s geopolitical space is not entirely dominated by Beijing.
Overcoming Connectivity Barriers
- India faces a major geographical disadvantage because Pakistan blocks direct overland access to Central Asia.
- Therefore, India is investing heavily in alternative transport networks to tap into Central Asian markets.
- Key projects include,
- Chabahar Port in Iran
- The International North-SouthTransport Corridor (INSTC)Transit routes via Iran and other regional partners.
- This can help India access resource-rich Central Asian markets and regions without depending on Pakistan territory.
Energy & Economic Opportunities
- Beyond Kazakhstan’s vital uranium supplies for India’s civil nuclear program, the region opens lucrative doors for Indian investments in pharmaceuticals, information technology, mining, infrastructure, and agriculture, backed by deep historical and cultural ties.
India–Central Asia vs China
- China has made major investments in Central Asia through its Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).
- India does not want the post-Soviet strategic space in Central Asia to be captured entirely by China.
- Therefore, India’s engagement is aimed at:
- maintaining strategic presence;
- strengthening economic partnerships;
- improving connectivity;
- expanding security cooperation;
- countering excessive Chinese influence.
- India’s engagement with Central Asia is therefore part of a broader strategic balancing approach.
Civilizational and Cultural Links
- India and Central Asia have maintained close cultural and historical ties for centuries, shaped by trade, migration, religion and cultural exchanges
- Central Asia played an important role in the spread of Buddhism towards China and other parts of Asia.
- During the Kushana period, Buddhist centres developed in the region.
- The Kara Tepe monastery at Termez in Uzbekistan is an important example of this historical connection.
- India’s historical interaction with Central Asia is also reflected in similarities in food, traditions and cultural practices.
- For instance, Uzbek cuisine includes foods such as samsa (samosa), non (naan) and pilaf (pulao), reflecting centuries of interaction along the ancient trade routes.
- These connections highlight that India’s relationship with Central Asia is not limited to contemporary diplomacy but has deep civilisational roots.
Challenges
- India’s engagement with Central Asia is constrained by geographical, geopolitical and regional factors.
- The absence of direct land access makes connectivity more difficult and increases dependence on alternative transit arrangements.
- The unstable situation in Afghanistan poses risks related to terrorism and regional security, while the Russia–Ukraine conflict has added uncertainty to the wider Eurasian environment.
- At the same time, China’s strong economic and infrastructural presence limits India’s room to expand its influence.
- Differences in the political and economic conditions of Central Asian countries also make it difficult to pursue a uniform regional strategy.
Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO)
- The Prime Minister’s visit also includes participation in the 26th SCO Summit in Bishkek, Kyrgyz Republic.
- The summit provides India an opportunity to engage with major Eurasian countries on issues of regional security, connectivity and economic cooperation.
About SCO
- The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) is a major Eurasian regional grouping.
- Its broad areas of cooperation include:
- regional security and stability;
- combating terrorism, extremism and separatism;
- economic cooperation;
- connectivity and trade; and
- political and cultural exchanges.
- It comprises,
- 10 member states, including India, Belarus, China, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.
- 15 Dialogue Partners (Azerbaijan, Armenia, Bahrain, Egypt, Cambodia, Qatar, Kuwait, Laos, the Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Türkiye, and Sri Lanka)
- Two Observers (Mongolia and Afghanistan).
- India became a full member of the SCO in 2017, along with Pakistan.
- Since then, the organisation has provided India with a platform to engage simultaneously with Russia, China and the Central Asian republics.
SCO+ Format
- The SCO+ format brings together SCO members with Observer States, Dialogue Partners and international organisations.
- This year’s third SCO+ meeting is expected to include countries such as Armenia, Azerbaijan, Vietnam, Laos, Mongolia, Türkiye, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Nepal and Sri Lanka, along with representatives of the UN and CSTO.
- It provides a broader platform for cooperation on security, connectivity and economic issues.
Conclusion
India’s engagement with Central Asia is important for advancing its strategic autonomy, energy security, and economic interests.
A sustained focus on connectivity, trade, security cooperation and people-to-people ties, along with greater use of platforms such as the SCO, can help India build a stronger and more balanced presence in the region.
UPSC Prelims and Mains Practice Question
Consider the following statements regarding India’s engagement with Central Asia:
- India launched the Connect Central Asia policy in 2012.
- India became a member of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation in 2017.
- Chabahar Port provides India with an alternative connectivity route to Central Asia, bypassing Pakistan.
- All Central Asian countries are members of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
A) 1, 2 and 3 only
B) 2, 3and 4 only
C) 1, 3 and 4 only
D) 1,2,3 and 4
Answer: 1, 2 and 3 only.
Mains Practice Question
Q, Central Asia has emerged as an important component of India’s strategic, economic and connectivity interests. Discuss the opportunities and challenges associated with India’s engagement with Central Asia. (250 Words)
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