Question

‘India considers the Central Asian countries as part of its 'extended and strategic neighborhood’. In light of the statement, Highlight the importance of Central Asia for India. Also, highlight the challenges which may hamper the cooperation between India and Central Asia.

Answer 1

Approach:

• You can start with historical background of India-Central Asian relationship.
• You can also highlight the importance of Central Asia in general.
• Try to give equal weightage to the Importance as well as challenges.
• Keep the answer crisp and divide the words equally to every point.

India’s engagement with Central Asia has evolved over a period of two decades. In the initial years, India relied on rekindling old civilisational links with the region that laid the groundwork for building trust and goodwill. The idea was to ensure goodwill and project India’s sincerity in its engagement with the region with the intention of augmenting its trade ties. However, lack of a focused approach towards the region, coupled with strained relations among the Central Asian states inhibited the economic potential of ties between the two sides.

A politically, geographically and economically integrated Central Asia is important for India to achieve its goal of ‘connecting’ with the region. It also provides an opportunity to invest in several hydro-electric power projects and other such ventures that cannot be implemented without the cooperation of two regional states.

SIGNIFICANCE OF CENTRAL ASIA FOR INDIA
1. Location: its geographical location, with Russia to the north; China and Mongolia to the east; India , Pakistan , Iran and Afghanistan to the south; Turkey and Georgia to the west. Close relations with them could benefit in several ways:

• It would counterbalance Pakistan from using the Islamic card against India in Islamic fora.
• It would provide opportunities for constructing oil and natural gas pipelines in the future.

2. Cultural Linkages: Relations between India and Central Asia are ancient and civilisational.
India has been connected closely with Central Asia through the Silk Route from circa 3rd century BC till 15th century AD when the sea route from Europe to India was discovered. The Silk Route connected India with Central Asia not only for transportation of goods and wares like silk, textiles, spices etc but was an effective channel of exchange of thoughts, ideas, religion and philosophy. Buddhism travelled over this route from India to Central Asia and from there to West China in contemporary Xinjiang region. India can use this soft power again to increase its influence in the region.

3. Security: Afghanistan poses a rising challenge for these countries as well as India. Withdrawal of US and Nato forces as well as changes in national leadership in Afghanistan in 2014 has increased violence and turbulence in the country. Talks between Afghanistan, Pakistan, USA and China to persuade the Taliban to enter into negotiations with Kabul are drifting aimlessly. It is necessary to evolve an inclusive regional solution for ensuring peace in Afghanistan. For this, India and Central Asia need to collaborate with other regional powers like Russia, Iran, China and Pakistan as also with USA and EU to promote security and stability in Afghanistan. To ensure this the Indian Air Force is operating Farkhor Air Base in collaboration with the Tajikistan Air Force.

4. Trade and Industry: Significant opportunities exist for Indian companies to undertake projects for building infrastructure related to rail network, roads, highways, power stations, transmission lines, renewable energy, nuclear power etc in these countries. Several areas present excellent opportunities for enhancing bilateral trade and economic cooperation. In addition to oil and gas, information technology, pharmaceuticals and textiles, areas like higher education, space, civil nuclear energy, small and medium business, power generation, food processing and agriculture present rich potential for deeper engagement. Signing of the Chabahar agreement with Iran resurrected India's Connect Central Asia Policy by opening up new trade routes, bypassing Pakistan. Those agreements, besides providing India a gateway to landlocked Central Asian republics, have also offered these countries an access to warm waters via the port of Chabahar to maximise their economic gains. Also International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC), a multi modal transportation established in 12 SEP 2000 in St. Petersburg, by Iran, Russia and India for the purpose of promoting transportation cooperation among the Member States will prove to be game changer if materialized.

5. Energy Security: Besides reinvigorated strategic and economic ties with Central Asia, an enhanced bilateral equation with Iran and India's membership to the SCO will enhance India's energy security goals by diversifying its energy needs from West Asia. Notably, Central Asian states, namely Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan are rich in energy resources. India's SCO membership could now play a bigger role in ensuring greater energy cooperation between energy producers and consumers by linking Central Asia and South Asia. In addition this club can seek investments to boost their hydrocarbon and petrochemical sector in which India can play a significant role.

Challenges in India-Central Asia Relationship

1. Lack of Direct Access: The unstable situation in Afghanistan and a highly problematic India-Pakistan relations have deprived India from the benefits of relations with Central Asia. The Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India Pipeline (TAPI) would be a game-changer if it materializes.
2. Chinese Presence: Unlike India, China shares long borders with three Central Asian states. China, due to its growing military, economic, and defense cooperation with Central Asia, has become a threat to India’s ambitions in the region. Some analysts says that India might find itself isolated in a perceived strategic triangle of China-Pakistan-Russia, who might have a common position on certain issues.
3. Regional Imbalances and Extremism: Religious extremism, fundamentalism and terrorism pose challenges to these societies and to regional stability. Central Asian republics face serious threat from illegal drug trade emanating from Afghanistan. The modern version is being played out even today. Russia, China, US, Turkey, Iran, Europe, EU, Japan, Pakistan, India, Afghanistan have substantial security and economic stakes in the region.
4. New Delhi needs to remove the myth prevailing in Eurasia that India is opposed to any connectivity projects. India must tell countries in the region that its objection to joining China’s BRI scheme relates to the violation of India’s sovereignty. India is not opposed to projects passing through non-disputed areas such as Turkmenistan, Afghanistan, Pakistan and India (TAPI) pipeline project.

India has yet to translate its aspirations in Central Asia into reality. For the Connect Central Asia policy to succeed, it is important that it is realized in practice and not just present on paper. If India manages to do that, India’s profile will rise not just in Central Asia but also in the international system. Once implemented properly, the Connect Central Asia policy could be a game changer for India.