India - central Asia policy

Background

The central Asia region consists of the 5 countries Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan. All this countries were formerly the part of USSR ( Soviet union ). They share key border with Russia, China, Europe, the Caspian sea , Iran , Afghanistan and Pakistan. It is this the geostrategic location of central Asian countries which makes them a critical partner for India. Apart from the strategic importance the central Asian republic is also blessed with natural resources ranging from oil and gas, uranium, and precious metal. This important characteristics of the region makes the region very important for India and other major super power in the world. 

India however has shared very close relationship with the region. Since, the days of the Soviet era. India had a trading relationship with the central Asian countries many defence equipments imported from USSR were developed in the factories which today are based in CAR ( Central Asian region ). India also shares the civilization connections. Since, the ancient and mediaeval times there has been a cultural and economic connect between the region which was marked by the bilateral trade route through the ancient silk road. The Mughal Empire based in India also traced back their origin to CAR. For example : Babur was from fargana valley which is now in CAR. 

India's return to Central Asia was followed by inaugural Central - Asia summit which was held virtually on occasion of India's republic day. The summit was supposed to be held physically i.e. All the leaders of central Asia region were invited to attend the republic day celebration. But due to the 3rd wave of covid it was decided to held virtually. In this summit all the leaders of central Asia were invited as a chief guest on the republic day. This is also a sign of India taking steps in the direction of central Asia diplomacy. This happened to be the first India-central Asia summit involving the leaders of all the countries. Prior to this engagement India had been holding regular dialogues between the foreign ministers of this countries which is called as India Central Asia dialogue. India also recently hosted a regional security dialogue on the current situation in Afghanistan. This back to back holding upto meeting show that India is attaching to the region. This marks the return of India to the central Asia region. But however the Real gains from the engagement might be minimal for India and at the same time the cost of non- engagement with the region could prove to be very costly for India.

CURRENT SITUATION

India and Central Asia have a major constraint to their relationship. This constraint is because of the geography. Because this countries are land locked countries. However India could have possibly accessed central Asia via Afghanistan. If we have a control over the wakhan corridor which is now a part of POK.  So as a result India lacks connectivity with CAR. Now, the only possible route for India is through the Iran and then Afghanistan then to the central Asian countries. That's why India had pursuing strategic connectivity project with the Iran's chabahar port. But still this connectivity is not enough for India. That's why the trade between this is also limited.

These former Soviet republic , they have became a play ground for a great power game in the region. Which is been played by the major super powers around the world.

Russia : Russia has its dominant influence in the region and it exercises tremendous political and military influence in the countries. Because all the five central Asian republic were part of the former Soviet union.

China: China in particular exercises tremendous economic influence in central Asia.

USA: The US on other hand had extended its influence into the region after the cold war era. They not only invested heavily in the region but had even step up military bases in the region. But however off late the American influence in the region is on decline after the hasty withdrawal from Afghanistan.

So in this great power game India is trying to find space for itself . Because India core interest in the region are under the threat of Being compromised primary because of current situation in Afghanistan.