India–Central Asia Relations: Strategic Importance, Connectivity & SCO

Subject: GS 2: International Relations

Context: The Indian Prime Minister is undertaking a Central Asia tour, beginning with a state visit to Uzbekistan and followed by the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Heads of State summit in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. 

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About Central Asia

• Geography: Central Asia is a landlocked region between Russia and China, comprising Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan.
• Strategic Location: Situated at the heart of Eurasia, it connects Europe, Russia, China, South Asia and West Asia, giving it major geopolitical and connectivity significance.
• Security Challenges: Terrorism, radicalisation, Afghanistan-related instability, border disputes and water-sharing conflicts remain key regional concerns.
• Geopolitical Shift: While Russia retains historical influence, China’s economic footprint is expanding, alongside growing engagement by Türkiye, Iran, the United States and the European Union.
• Resource Significance: The region possesses substantial hydrocarbon, uranium and critical mineral resources, making it relevant to India’s energy and strategic-resource security.

India–Central Asia Relations

• Civilisational Links: India shares centuries-old connections with Central Asia through trade, culture, language, religion, Buddhism, Sufism and architecture.
• Continental Neighbourhood: Central Asia forms an important part of India’s extended continental neighbourhood, despite the absence of direct overland access.
• 2015 Breakthrough: The Indian Prime Minister’s visit to all five Central Asian republics marked a major shift towards more proactive and independent Indian engagement with the region.
• Institutional Mechanism: The India-Central Asia Dialogue was established to provide a high-level framework for cooperation in areas such as security, trade, connectivity, culture and development.
• Strategic Objective: India seeks to strengthen ties in trade, defence, energy, critical minerals, technology, education, healthcare and tourism, while supporting a balanced regional order.

Why Central Asia Matters for India

• Geostrategic Significance: Central Asia’s proximity to India, separated geographically by the Wakhan Corridor in Afghanistan, makes regional stability important for India’s northern security environment.

• Counter-Terrorism: Central Asian countries maintain a strong stance against religious extremism and terrorism, aligning with India’s security priorities.
• Afghanistan Factor: Instability, terrorism, drug trafficking and extremist networks emanating from Afghanistan have implications for both Central Asia and India.
• Energy Security: Kazakhstan’s uranium supplies are particularly significant for India’s civil nuclear energy programme, while the wider region offers opportunities in hydrocarbons and critical minerals.
  • TAPI Pipeline: TAPI (Turkmenistan–Afghanistan–Pakistan–India) gas pipeline, designed to transport natural gas from Turkmenistan’s Galkynysh gas field to South Asia.
  • Strategic importance: Strengthens India’s energy security, provides access to Central Asian gas and promotes regional connectivity.
• Geopolitical Balancing: Greater engagement enables India to contribute to a multipolar Eurasian order as Russian influence evolves and Chinese economic presence expands.
• Soft Power: India’s experience in democracy, pluralism, education, healthcare, pharmaceuticals and information technology provides avenues for deeper people-to-people engagement.

India and Shanghai Cooperation Organisation

• Evolution: The SCO originated as the Shanghai Five in 1996 and subsequently evolved into the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation.
• India’s Membership: India became a full member in 2017, alongside Pakistan.
• Strategic Significance: The SCO provides India with a platform to engage simultaneously with Russia, China and the Central Asian republics.
• India’s Approach: India’s SCO engagement is driven primarily by geography and strategic interests, rather than ideological alignment.
• Security Cooperation: The organisation provides avenues for cooperation against terrorism, separatism and extremism, including through its Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS).
• Broader Agenda: India advocates cooperation in security, connectivity, economic development, technology and civilisational exchanges.

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Key Challenges for India

• Connectivity Deficit: Lack of direct overland access, particularly due to Pakistan’s geographical position, raises transport costs and logistical complexity and constrains India-Central Asia trade.
• Chinese Dominance: China’s extensive trade, infrastructure investments and BRI projects give it a substantial economic advantage in the region.
• Afghanistan Instability: Political instability, terrorism, extremist networks and drug trafficking in Afghanistan pose persistent regional security challenges.
• Limited Trade: Despite significant potential, India-Central Asia trade remains modest, reflecting connectivity, financial and logistical constraints.
  • India’s trade with Central Asia remains modest at around US$2 billion annually, despite significant economic potential, due to connectivity, financial and logistical constraints.
• Regional Disputes: Border, ethnic and water-sharing disputes, particularly involving the Amu Darya and Syr Darya basins, hinder regional integration.
• Competing Influences: India must navigate the overlapping influence of Russia, China, Türkiye, Iran, the United States and the European Union.

Way Forward

• Operationalise Connectivity Corridors: Accelerate the effective use of Chabahar Port, INSTC and other multimodal routes to improve India’s physical access.
• Critical Mineral Partnerships: Develop joint ventures and public-private partnerships for exploration, extraction and processing of critical minerals.
• Deepen Security Cooperation: Expand counter-terrorism exercises, intelligence sharing and cooperation through SCO-RATS.
• Strengthening Connectivity:
  • Chabahar Port: Utilise Iran’s Chabahar Port as a gateway to Afghanistan and Central Asia.
  • INSTC: Accelerate the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC) to create a multimodal link between India, Iran, Central Asia, Russia and Europe.
  • Diversified Corridors: Develop rail, road, maritime and air connectivity to reduce logistics costs and overcome geographical constraints.
• Strengthen Economic Engagement: Promote Indian investments in pharmaceuticals, information technology, agriculture, energy and infrastructure.
• Expand Digital Connectivity: Leverage India’s Digital Public Infrastructure and digital solutions in payments, healthcare and governance.
• Enhance People-to-people Ties: Expand education, scholarships, medical tourism, tourism, cultural exchanges and technical training.
• Proactive Diplomacy: Convert India’s civilisational goodwill into sustained economic, technological and strategic partnerships.

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Conclusion

India’s return to Central Asia represents a shift from historical affinity to strategic partnership. Converting civilisational goodwill into connectivity, economic integration, energy partnerships and security cooperation can help India emerge as a credible and trusted partner in the evolving Eurasian order. 

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