New Delhi(India), 16 December: India’s relation with Central Asia has a long history. The geographical proximity, close cultural affinity and long history of exchanges of ideas, men and commodities between Central Asia and India, a chain of common currents of culture and similarities of ethos are seen in different forms.
In the past few years, India has strengthened its diplomatic and cultural relationships through various exchange programmes and knowledge sharing.
Recently, India also celebrated its 30th anniversary of diplomatic ties with Central Asian countries. To commemorate the anniversary of India-Central Asia diplomatic relationships, an International Conference on “Dynamics of India-Central Asia Relation: Scale and Scope” was organised in the capital at Indian Council of World Affairs.
In the presence of high-level representatives, diplomats of five Central Asian countries- Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan, the experts presented their study and observations on security, connectivity, regional cooperation, trade, energy, cultural and people to people relations between both regions.
Addressing the occasion of 30th Anniversary of India-Central Asia Diplomatic Relations, Sanjay Verma, Secretary (West), Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India said, “Millenia-old historical and cultural linkages of the northern parts of India with Central Asian countries witnessed continuous exchange of people, goods, ideas and traditions, except during the brief colonial era in the 19th century. The common imprint on our languages, aesthetics and traditions are living testimony of these linkages.”
However, while addressing the august audience, envoy of Tajikistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan to India also shared their views on the prospects of bilateral trade relationship in the changing geopolitical scenario.
Earlier to this, in January 2022 as well, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi presided over the India-Central Asia Summit with all the five Central Asian heads of state present. The virtual meeting demonstrated India’s commitment to its “Extended Neighbourhood Policy,” which calls for New Delhi to diversify its geopolitical partners and diplomatic goals, and its willingness to engage its Central Asian partners on a multitude of fronts.
The period since 2015 has witnessed regular visits by heads of state/government, ministers and officials , reactivation of existing bilateral mechanisms and creation of new ones. A number of agreements have been signed with these countries in the areas of trade, science and technology, energy, information technology (IT), space cooperation, education, defence, security etc. Even while covid-19 travel restrictions have been in place, India has held virtual summits and meetings at ministerial and other levels. Several initiatives have been taken to improve connectivity with the Central Asian countries.
Furthermore, beside the trade and economic relationship, India has also attempted to boost its security presence in the region. The renewed interest in enhancing mutual cooperation and consultations on important regional issues manifests in the creation of a new dialogue mechanism with Central Asian Countries at the initiative of Uzbekistan and India. Similarly, Tajikistan has also been a strategic partner of India’s in the region, especially in the context of Afghanistan. Bilateral trade has been fluctuating between USD 20 million and USD 75 million in recent years.
Since 2016, Uzbekistan has tried to work with other Central Asian countries to improve bilateral relations and connectivity. India has participated in Uzbekistan’s regional initiatives on Central Asia and Afghanistan. External Affairs Minister Dr. S Jaishankar also participated in the international conference on regional connectivity organised by Uzbekistan in Tashkent in July 2021.
Earlier, in March 2021, during his visit to Tajikistan, Minister of External Affairs Dr. S Jaishankar already stated that while the bilateral strategic relation has grown and expanded over the years, there is potential for further strengthening of economic cooperation across all Central Asian countries.
In the changed geopolitical scenario, India and the Central Asian countries have embarked on a new era of robust strategic partnership that was reflected on various occasion, but it was very much evident on 27th January 2022, by the successful conclusion of first-ever summit hosted by the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi. Such form of consolidation and convergence of India-Central Asia relationships are distinctly perceptible. The deep commitment towards taking the evolving partnership to newer heights is potentially transformational for maintaining the geostrategic equilibrium of the region and the world under India’s Presidency of the G-20 grouping in 2023.
-Dr. M Shahid Siddiqui (PhD); Follow via Twitter @shahidsiddiqui
