Article 2: India’s return to its Central Asian neighbourhood
Why in news: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to visit Uzbekistan and attend the SCO Heads of State meeting in Bishkek, signalling India’s renewed strategic engagement with Central Asia.
Key Details
- Strategic neighbourhood: Central Asia’s location between Russia, China and Afghanistan makes it vital for India’s geopolitical, security and connectivity interests.
- Deepening engagement: Modi’s 2015 visit to all five Central Asian republics marked a shift from India’s earlier Russia-dependent approach to more active regional diplomacy.
- Civilisational & economic links: Historical connections in culture, language, religion and architecture, combined with opportunities in trade, technology, defence and resources, strengthen India-Central Asia relations.
- Uzbekistan’s importance: Uzbekistan is a dynamic regional power and important counter-terrorism partner, with strategic relevance due to its proximity to Afghanistan and potential connectivity routes through Iran.
- SCO platform: India uses the SCO to advance security, connectivity, economic and technological cooperation, despite challenges posed by the China-Pakistan alignment.
Central Asia as an Emerging Region
- Central Asia comprises Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan, located between the major powers of Russia and China.
- Since the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, these countries have been developing independent political identities and new internal balances.
- The region is ethnically and geographically diverse, with different languages, resources and foreign-policy priorities.
- While Islam is the dominant religion, it generally does not define political identity, and Central Asian states maintain a strong stance against terrorism and radicalisation.
- Growing instability from Afghanistan and competition among Russia, China, Türkiye, Iran, the U.S. and EU are reshaping the region’s geopolitics.
India’s Growing Engagement with Central Asia
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s 2015 visit to all five Central Asian republics marked a major shift in India’s approach towards the region.
- It signalled that India would no longer simply defer to Russia regarding its Central Asian neighbourhood.
- India became a full member of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) in 2017, alongside Pakistan.
- In 2022, India invited all five Central Asian leaders as chief guests for Republic Day, strengthening high-level diplomatic engagement.
- These developments contributed to institutional mechanisms such as the India-Central Asia Dialogue.
Central Asia: Beyond Geographical Distance
- Although India lacks direct overland connectivity with Central Asia, the region remains important because of deep historical and civilisational links in culture, religion, language, architecture and trade.
- India and Central Asia are part of the broader Eurasian landmass, making the region strategically relevant to India’s continental interests.
- Central Asian states are increasingly looking beyond Russia and China for economic and development partnerships.
- India’s image as a plural, moderate and democratic society provides it with an important source of soft power.
- India should strengthen cooperation across trade, defence, natural resources, technology, education, healthcare, tourism and cultural exchanges.
Strategic Importance of Uzbekistan
- Uzbekistan is an important partner because of its central geographical position, economic dynamism and efforts to diversify its foreign relations.
- Relations have improved steadily since President Shavkat Mirziyoyev came to power in 2016.
- Uzbekistan’s strong opposition to terrorism and extremism aligns with India’s security interests.
- Its geographical proximity to Afghanistan and pragmatic understanding of developments there make it particularly valuable for India.
- India and Uzbekistan should revisit possibilities for alternative rail and road connectivity through Iran and Afghanistan, especially in light of changing regional conditions.
India’s Role in the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation
- The SCO has evolved from the Shanghai Five established in 1996 into a major Eurasian grouping with 10 members, dialogue partners and observers.
- India’s participation is driven primarily by geography and strategic interests rather than ideological alignment.
- India faces challenges from the China-Pakistan strategic alignment within the organisation but continues to use the SCO platform to promote cooperation.
- India has advocated greater collaboration in economics, technology, connectivity, security and civilisational exchanges.
- Overall, deeper engagement with Central Asia and the SCO reflects India’s broader effort to strengthen its continental and maritime neighbourhood, expand strategic partnerships and secure its geopolitical interests across Eurasia.
Conclusion
India must treat Central Asia as an integral part of its extended neighbourhood rather than a distant region. Deepening partnerships can advance connectivity, energy security, counter-terrorism, trade and technology while expanding India’s strategic autonomy. Greater engagement with Uzbekistan and the SCO can help India balance Chinese influence, leverage civilisational goodwill and secure its broader continental and Eurasian interests.