Central Asia, comprising the five Central Asian Republics (CARs) – Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan – occupies a geopolitically strategic location between Russia, China, Iran, and South Asia. India’s engagement with Central Asia is driven by multiple factors such as energy security, economic ties, geopolitical interests, and the promotion of regional stability. Central Asia is also crucial in India’s broader strategy for maintaining a robust presence in Eurasian geopolitics, leveraging the region’s access to critical resources and transportation corridors.
1. Economic Interests
(a) Energy Resources
- Energy security is a key concern for India, and Central Asia is rich in natural resources. Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan possess large reserves of oil, gas, and minerals, making them vital for India’s energy needs.
- India seeks access to these resources to diversify its energy imports beyond the traditional sources in the Middle East. The region is also a significant transit route for energy supplies from Central Asia to Europe and China.
- India has shown interest in the Turkmenistan–Afghanistan–Pakistan–India (TAPI) pipeline, which is a vital project for accessing Central Asian gas via Afghanistan, bypassing the volatile regions around the Persian Gulf.
(b) Trade and Investment
- Trade relations between India and Central Asia are gradually expanding, with an emphasis on pharmaceuticals, information technology, and engineering goods.
- India’s business expansion in Central Asia is also facilitated by the New Development Bank (NDB) and regional cooperation initiatives.
- India seeks to enhance connectivity with the Central Asian economies through projects like the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC), which will improve trade routes from India through Iran to Russia and Central Asia.
2. Geopolitical and Security Concerns
(a) Afghanistan and Regional Stability
- Afghanistan serves as a gateway for India to the Central Asian region. India has invested heavily in Afghan reconstruction, contributing to infrastructure development and humanitarian projects, thus establishing itself as a key regional player.
- India’s interests in Afghanistan are closely tied to the security dynamics of Central Asia. A stable Afghanistan is crucial for the security of Central Asia, and India has consistently supported Afghan sovereignty and territorial integrity.
- India views the presence of radical forces in Afghanistan, including those with links to Pakistan-based terror groups, as a threat to regional stability, which it aims to counter through multilateral efforts with Central Asia and Russia.
(b) Countering Chinese Influence
- Central Asia is a region where China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) has gained considerable traction. India has expressed concerns over China’s growing influence and infrastructure investments in the region.
- India counters this by promoting alternative projects and partnerships that offer Central Asian countries opportunities for development without full dependence on Chinese infrastructure, such as the Chabahar Port in Iran, which is part of India’s efforts to improve connectivity to Central Asia via Iran.
3. Strengthening Diplomatic Ties
(a) Cultural and Historical Links
- India shares deep cultural, historical, and religious ties with Central Asia, with ancient connections dating back to the Silk Road. These ties have been fostered through the shared heritage of Buddhism, and there is growing interest in reviving cultural and educational exchanges.
- Central Asian countries have expressed admiration for India’s democratic values and economic growth, and India uses this soft power to strengthen diplomatic relationships with the region.
(b) Strategic Alliances and Regional Cooperation
- India is a member of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), where it engages with Central Asian states, Russia, and China to discuss regional security, counter-terrorism, and trade issues.
- The India-Central Asia Dialogue format, which was institutionalised in 2012, provides a platform for discussions on enhancing trade, economic cooperation, and addressing security concerns such as terrorism and narcotics trafficking.
4. Infrastructure and Connectivity Initiatives
(a) The International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC)
- One of the key initiatives for increasing India’s access to Central Asia is the INSTC, a multi-modal transport network that connects India’s Mumbai Port to Russia and Central Asia through Iran.
- The INSTC will not only improve trade links but will also reduce dependence on traditional maritime routes via the Strait of Hormuz and the Suez Canal.
(b) Chabahar Port in Iran
- The Chabahar Port, located in Iran, is crucial for India’s strategy to bypass Pakistan and access Central Asia directly. This port connects India to Afghanistan and offers a route to Central Asia via land corridors.
- India has invested in the development of Chabahar’s infrastructure to foster trade and energy exchange, positioning it as a critical part of the broader India-Central Asia connectivity plan.
5. Conclusion
India’s interests in Central Asia are multifaceted, encompassing energy security, trade, geopolitical stability, and cultural ties. As an emerging global power, India seeks to enhance its influence in the region while balancing competing interests, particularly the growing influence of China. Through initiatives like the INSTC, Chabahar Port, and a deeper engagement in Afghanistan’s reconstruction, India is carving out a more prominent role in Central Asia. The region’s significance for India, coupled with its shared cultural heritage, makes it an essential element of India’s Eurasian and global diplomatic strategies.
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