INDIA
- CENTRAL ASIA RELATIONS – INTERNATIONAL
News:
Central Asian foreign policy
multi-vectorism pays off
What
is in the news?
●
Recently, China hosted what was called the
“C+C5 summit”, in the city of Xi’an,
which saw the participation of the leaders of five Central Asian countries.
Key
takeaways from the summit:
●
The six countries then jointly signed the ‘Xi’an Declaration’ and issued a
blueprint for the future development of China-Central Asia relations.
●
In their discussions, the six countries
focused on the 10th anniversary of the
Belt and Road cooperation to be a ‘new starting point’.
●
In focus also were people-to-people
exchanges, a ‘Cultural Silk Road’
programme, and issues of regional terrorism and extremism.
●
the China-Central
Asia Summit mechanism was officially inaugurated, which paves the way for
future biennial summits between these countries.
●
The next
summit will be held in Kazakhstan in 2025.
Why
Central Asia is important to India?
1.
Strategic location:
●
India considers Central Asian countries as
the heart of Asia. Central Asia serves as a land bridge between Asia and Europe
making it geopolitically important for India.
2. Combatting Terrorism:
●
India and the Central Asian nations have
similarities in approach in countering terrorism and the threat of
radicalisation.
3. Energy security:
●
Central Asia is fuel rich (petroleum,
natural gas) hence, important for India’s energy security. Eg - TAPI gas pipeline - TAPI (Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India)
seeks to connect an energy-rich Central to South Asia.
4. Natural resources:
●
The region is rich in natural resources
like antimony, aluminum, gold, silver, coal and uranium which can be utilized
by India.
5. Trade and commerce:
●
The Central Asian countries offer an
opportunity for India to expand trade and commerce.
6. Connectivity:
●
Better connectivity with central Asia is a
prerequisite condition for India's improved connectivity to Eurasia region. Eg
- In 2018, India joined the Ashgabat
agreement that “would diversify India’s connectivity options with Central
Asia.
Problems
in India's engagement with central Asia:
1.
Narrowed relationship:
●
India made its biggest outreach to Central
Asia with the 2022 summit, but its relationships in the region, including in
the SCO, remain security-driven.
2. Poor connectivity:
●
India has trading ties with central Asia
is hobbled by the poor land route to Central Asia, with Pakistan denying it passage and Afghanistan being uncertain territory after the Taliban takeover.
3. Chabahar port:
●
The Chabahar port in Iran offers an alternative
route, but it is not fully developed yet.
4. China factor:
●
All the central Asian countries are having
a bilateral relationship with China rather than India. Eg - Last year China conducted the C+C5 summit.
5. India's big brother attitude:
●
Central Asian countries are fearing about
India's big brother dominance like the South Asian region.
6. Poor trade & Investment relationship:
●
China
has a bilateral trade of $50 billion with Central Asia, and
has made major investments in these countries with its Belt and Road
Initiative. India’s trade with the
region is a paltry $2 billion.
7. Security concerns:
●
India's engagement with Central Asia is
affected by security challenges, including terrorism, narcotics trafficking,
and cross-border threats.
WAY
FORWARD:
1.
Diversifying relations:
●
India made its biggest outreach to Central
Asia with the 2022 summit, but its relationships in the region, including in
the SCO, remain security-driven. It should strengthen its ties in various
sectors.
2. Develop air corridors:
●
India should provide connectivity for
people and trade in Central Asia through “air
corridors”, as it had done for Afghanistan.
3. Greater engagement through regional forums:
●
India should use the presidentship opportunity
of the SCO this year to diversify
relations with this strategic region.
4. Regularisation of summits:
●
India should regularly conduct an annual
India - Central Asia summit to increase engagement. Eg - India - Central Asia peace summit.
5. Separate policy:
●
In 2022, India announced its central Asian
foreign policy as 'Extended
Neighbourhood'.
●
Separate policy specifically for Central
Asia should be designed.
6. Separate Foreign department:
●
Separate regional specific central India
foreign relations departments in the external affairs ministry can increase the
engagement with specific focus.
7. Greater investment:
●
India should increase its investments in
the region; Private players should be encouraged to invest in the region.