Answer

India’s relations with Central Asia have evolved from ancient cultural links to modern strategic partnerships. The recent amendment of regional dynamics, including Iran’s entry into SCO and BRICS and Taliban resurgence, has created fresh scope for India to reframe its approach through a development-centric lens under the India–Central Asia Dialogue.

Evolving India–Central Asia Relations

• Historical and Cultural Connections: India and Central Asia have a rich history of exchanges, particularly through Silk Road trade, Buddhism, and Sufism.
  Eg. India has revived civilizational ties with Samarkand and Bukhara, enhancing soft power diplomacy.
• Post-Soviet Geopolitical Opportunities: Following the 1991 breakup of the Soviet Union, newly independent Central Asian Republics (CARs) offered India opportunities for economic, energy, and diplomatic cooperation.
  Eg. In 2015, Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited all five CARs, signing 22 agreements across sectors.
• Energy and Security Interests: India’s early approach focused on energy imports and countering threats from terrorism and instability in Afghanistan.
  Eg. India imports uranium from Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan to fuel its civil nuclear energy programme.
• Responding to Regional Flux: The rise of China and resurgence of the Taliban prompted India to seek alternative connectivity routes.
  Eg. India developed Chabahar Port and joined the International North–South Transport Corridor (INSTC) to bypass Pakistan–Afghanistan corridors.
• Institutionalizing Engagement: India launched the Connect Central Asia Policy in 2012 to deepen political, security, economic, and cultural cooperation.
  Eg. Strategic partnerships were signed with Kazakhstan (2009), Uzbekistan (2011), and Tajikistan (2012).

India’s Development-Centric Approach in Central Asia

• Offering Development Financing: India extended a US$1 billion Line of Credit to support infrastructure, energy, and agriculture projects in Central Asia.
  Eg. Funds are enabling renewable energy and agri-modernization projects in Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan.
• Sharing Digital Governance Models: India is promoting its Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) such as Aadhaar and DigiLocker to boost e-governance in CARs.
  Eg. The India–Central Asia Digital Partnership Forum fosters collaboration on identity tech and data systems.
• Strengthening Health Systems: India offers technical assistance to develop Universal Health Coverage (UHC) systems across the region.
  Eg. At the India–Central Asia Business Council 2023, India committed to support healthcare system design in CARs.
• Knowledge Sharing via DAKSHIN: India launched DAKSHIN (Development and Knowledge Sharing Initiative) to exchange development practices with the Global South.
  Eg. CARs have partnered with India’s Global South Centre of Excellence under DAKSHIN.
• Creating Institutional Frameworks: India has set up the India–Central Asia Development Group and Business Council to streamline cooperation in digital economy, pharmaceuticals and financial services.

Strategic Departure from Traditional Geopolitics

• Focus on Trade and Connectivity Corridors: India now promotes inclusive trade rather than power-centric diplomacy through initiatives like INSTC and Chabahar.
• Leveraging Soft Power Tools: India uses education, technology, and culture to build influence instead of military alignments.
  Eg. IT centres and telemedicine hubs have been set up in Turkmenistan and other CARs.
• Human-Centric Development Approach: India emphasizes people-focused growth in areas like education, health, and digital inclusion.
  Eg. The Fourth India–Central Asia Dialogue (2023) prioritized capacity building and social sector engagement.
• Pursuing Balanced Multilateralism: India seeks balanced regional engagement through local currency trade and cooperative platforms.
  Eg. India proposed using local currencies for trade with Kazakhstan, strengthening financial independence.
• Creating Secure Alternative Corridors: India invests in routes avoiding volatile zones to ensure safe connectivity.
  Eg. The Zaranj–Delaram Road and Chabahar–INSTC enable secure transit, reducing dependence on Afghanistan–Pakistan.

India’s development-centric strategy in Central Asia sets the foundation for deeper economic integration, digital innovation, and sustainable partnerships. By expanding connectivity projects and enhancing capacity building, India is poised to become a key driver of regional stability and shared prosperity in the evolving Central Asian landscape.

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