India's Central Asia outreach

Last Updated10/12/2022

Recently, Indian National Security Advisor (NSA) hosted a meeting of his counterparts from five Central Asian countries — Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, and Turkmenistan.
All countries except Turkmenistan sent their NSAs; Ashgabat was represented by its ambassador in New Delhi.

Historical route: Silk Route connected India with Central Asia from the 3rd century BC to the 15th century AD.
Cultural ties: From the export of Buddhism to the lasting influence of Bollywood.
Diplomatic ties: Despite India’s focus on its other relationships, diplomatic parts continued to move on Central Asia.
Mutual participation: in regional & global grouping like the SCO, attended by the Central Asian countries.
Focussed engagement: began with the “Connect Central Asia policy” in 2012.

Minerals and resources: Central Asia is extremely rich in mineral & other resources.
Kazakhstan - uranium, coal, lead, zinc, gold, and iron ore.
Kyryz Republic - gold and hydro-power
Turkmenistan - world’s largest reserves of natural gas.
Tajikistan- hydro-power potential
Uzbekistan - gold, uranium, and natural gas
Security cooperation: with Central Asian countries after the Taliban takeover in Afghanistan
Countering China’s influence in the region
Crucial for India’s connectivity with Europe: including the International North South Transport Corridor (INSTC)

Increasing bilateral trade in the region: China has a bilateral trade of $50 billion with Central Asia whereas India’s trade is a paltry $2 billion.
Lack of overland transport access: Pakistan is blocking the way of India’s Central Asia plans.
Execution of INSTC: India wants to integrate the INSTC with Chabahar port in Iran to access the resource-rich region.
Extremism, terrorism, and radicalisation: With the Taliban’s return, the threat of radicalism & regrouping of Islamic State poses a serious security challenge.
Countering terror financing: considered “lifeblood” of terrorism, and countering it should be a priority.

India does not want the post-Soviet space to be captured by the Chinese, and the NSAs engagement is a key mechanism in Delhi’s toolkit.
In 2002, it was said that the new “Silk Route Initiative” of India’s foreign policy seeks to build a new Silk Road of Friendship and Cooperation between India and Central Asia. Till now, it remains a dream.