Mains Practice Questions

Introduction

The "Connect Central Asia" policy, initiated in 2012, has evolved into a multifaceted approach encompassing diplomatic, economic, cultural, and security dimensions.

• The watershed moment in India's Central Asian diplomacy came with the first India-Central Asia Summit in January 2022.

India’s Recent Engagement with Central Asian Countries:

• Connectivity: The development of the Chabahar Port in Iran, with India's investment of USD 500 million, serves as a gateway to Central Asia, circumventing the geopolitical challenges posed by Pakistan.
  • The International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC), a 7,200 km multi-modal network, promises to slash transit times between India and Central Asia by up to 40%.
• Energy Security: Central Asia's vast hydrocarbon reserves align with India's growing energy needs, fostering a natural synergy. Key developments include:
  • The Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) Pipeline, despite geopolitical hurdles, remains a cornerstone of India's energy diversification strategy.
  • Nuclear fuel corporation has seen notable progress, with Kazakhstan supplying India with 5,000 tonnes of uranium between 2015-2019.
    • This partnership is crucial for India's ambitious nuclear energy program, which aims to increase nuclear power capacity to 22,480 MWe by 2031.
• Defense and Security Cooperation: India's security engagement with Central Asia has deepened, driven by shared concerns over terrorism, extremism, and regional stability. Key initiatives include:
  • Regular joint military exercises, such as the India-Kazakhstan "KAZIND" exercise and counter-terrorism drills with Kyrgyzstan, enhance interoperability and strategic trust.
  • The establishment of the India-Central Asia Joint Working Group on Afghanistan in 2020 reflects a coordinated approach to regional security challenges, particularly in light of the evolving situation in Afghanistan post-2021.
  • India's full membership in the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) since 2017 has provided an additional multilateral platform for security cooperation and strategic dialogue with Central Asian partners.
• Cultural and People-to-People Ties: Recognizing the soft power potential of cultural affinities, India has intensified its cultural diplomacy:
  • The Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) program offers scholarships annually to Central Asian countries, fostering educational and professional linkages.

Conclusion

India's renewed focus on Central Asia in recent years marks a significant shift in its foreign policy paradigm, reflecting a strategic recalibration to enhance its geopolitical influence and economic footprint in this pivotal region.