INDIA - CENTRAL ASIA RELATIONS -

INTERNATIONAL RELATIONSHIP

News: India to host conclave of top security officials of Central Asian countries

 

What is in the news?

       For the first time, India will host on a conclave of top security officials of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan with a focus on the evolving security situation in Afghanistan and ways to deal with threat of terrorism emanating from that country, authoritative sources said.

       The NSA-level conclave that comes around 10 months after the first India-Central Asia virtual summit is also set to deliberate on ways to boost India's connectivity with the Central Asian region among other issues.

       In November last year, India hosted a regional dialogue on the situation in Afghanistan that was attended by NSAs of Russia, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan.

       India considers the Central Asian countries as the heart of Asia. These countries are also members of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO).

 

Key takeaways:

       The security situation in Afghanistan and the evolving dynamics in that country will figure in the deliberations.

       Boosting connectivity including exploring making the Chabahar port in Iran a part of the International North-South Transport Corridor will also be part of the discussions.

       Located in the Sistan-Balochistan province on the energy-rich Iran's southern coast, the Chabahar port is being developed by India, Iran and Afghanistan to boost connectivity and trade ties.

       The International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC) is a 7,200-km-long multi-mode transport project for moving freight among India, Iran, Afghanistan, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Russia, Central Asia and Europe.

       The leaders agreed to institutionalize the summit mechanism by deciding to hold it every two years.

       They also agreed on regular meetings of Foreign Ministers, Trade Ministers, Culture Ministers and Secretaries of the Security Council to prepare the groundwork for the summit meetings.

 

Importance of Central Asia 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.

       Strategic location of Central Asia is a key aspect of geopolitical maneuvering affecting India’s relations with Pakistan, China, the US, Russia and other powers.

       India’s only foreign military base is in Farkhor, Tajikistan in proximity to PoK.

2. Like-Mindedness in Combatting Terrorism:

       India and the Central Asian nations have similarities in approach in countering terrorism and the threat of radicalization.

       The latest meeting called for the early adoption of the UN Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism, which India had first proposed in 1996, but has been held up for decades, primarily over differences on the definition of terrorism.

3. Energy security:

       Central Asia is fuel rich (petroleum, natural gas) hence, important for India’s energy security.

       Oil and Natural Gas - TAPI Pipeline via Turkmenistan.

       Nuclear - Uranium from Kazakhstan.

       Uzbekistan - Oil exploration, Uranium, Gold

       Kyrgyzstan - Green technology and agriculture

       Tajikistan - Strategic location and hydropower.

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.

       INSTC also offers a safe and cost-effective route to the European Union market.

       Central Asian regions are fast getting linked to the global market for production, supplies of raw materials and services.

       They are also increasingly getting integrated into the East-West Trans-Eurasian transit economic corridor.

       Development of central Asia has led to a construction boom and development of sectors like IT and tourism. India can also take advantage of the same.

6. Connectivity:

       TAPI gas pipeline: 

       Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India seeks to connect an energy-rich Central to South Asia, which will be possible only if there is peace in Afghanistan.

       In 2018, India joined the Ashgabat agreement that “would diversify India’s connectivity options with Central Asia.

       The pact was signed in 2011 by Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Iran, Oman and Qatar and aimed at developing the shortest trade route between the Central Asian republics and Iranian and Omani ports.

       Chabahar port:

       In 2003, India and Iran announced the development of the Chabahar port.

       Once Chabahar was complete, this would serve as an alternate route to Central Asia.

       International North-South (Transit) Corridor (INSTC):

       In 2000, India, Iran and Russia agreed on a new route for trade that later came to be known as INSTC.

 

How has India evolved its relations with Central Asia?

1. Connect Central Asia policy:

       In 2012, New Delhi’s ‘Connect Central Asia’ policy aimed at furthering India’s political, economic, historical and cultural connections with the region.

2. Cultural connect:

       Central Asia is undoubtedly a zone of India’s civilizational influence; the Ferghana Valley was India’s crossing-point of the Great Silk Road.

       Buddhism also found inroads in several Central Asian cities in the form of Stupas and Monasteries.

       Men of prominence such as Amir Khusrau, Dehlawi, Al-Biruni etc. having Central Asian roots came and made their name in India.

       Bollywood stars like Raj Kapoor and Mithun Chakraborty are famous in these countries.

3. Strategic partnership agreement:

       New Delhi signed the Strategic Partnership Agreements (SPA) with Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan to stimulate defence cooperation and deepen trade relations.

4. SCO membership:

       India's full membership into the SCO now opens up an opportunity for a closer engagement with the region.

 

5. India-Central Asia dialogue:

       It is a ministerial-level dialogue between India and the Central Asian countries namely Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan.

6. India's Soft Power:

       India's presence in the form of universities, hospitals and other services such as tele-medicine and tele-education.

 

Challenges:

1. Geographic non-accessibility:

       India’s major limitation in this strategically important region is geographic non-accessibility. India does not share borders with the CARs.

2. Tensions with Pakistan and China:

       India's tensions with Pakistan mean there is no viable land route towards Central Asia.

       Pakistan’s obstructionist attitude has played a big role in keeping India out of Central Asia.

       Given its close ties with China, Pakistan would likely push Afghanistan to join connectivity projects initiated by Beijing and not New Delhi.

       China took advantage and unveiled BRI in Kazakhstan.

       Beijing has made considerable inroads into the region, boosting trade and co-opting Central Asian states into its Belt and Road Initiative.

3. Instability in Afghanistan:

       The takeover of Afghanistan by the Taliban has severely set back India’s plans in Central Asia.

4. Drug menace:

       Porous border and unbridled corruption along with the proximity with regions of soaring opium production (Golden Crescent and Golden Triangle) makes the region a powerhouse for drug and money trafficking.

5. Low trade:

       India’s current trade volume with Central Asia is minimal, and cannot be increased without substantially improving transport connectivity.

       Trade and commercial bonds: Trade between India and Central Asia is very low (US $2 billion) compared to Chinese trade with the CARs, which amounts to approx. US $100 billion.

6. Security:

       Terrorism, drug trafficking and radicalization have been a matter of concern for India and Central Asian countries alike.

       This has especially become a major concern in the context of the Taliban taking over control of Afghanistan.

7. India’s Foreign policy:

       India’s foreign policy has been more focused on the bigger powers such as Russia and the United States (US) and in dealing with challenges from China and Pakistan. Thus, CARs got less attention in the past.

 

WAY FORWARD:

       It is fairly understood that both the CAR and India both have not optimally utilized each other’s resources present in diverse sectors.

       India is rapidly moving towards its goal of becoming a regional power which continuously requires uninterrupted supply of fuel and energy which can easily be provided by the CAR.

       There is a need to realize a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between India and the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) which has a potential of spurring the trade to 170 billion dollars from paltry 10 Billion Dollars.

 

Although China has the largest regional presence in Central Asia, India’s outreach may provide an alternative to CARs. Also, India’s commitment to “principles of transparency, local priorities and respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity” makes it a preferred alternative to China in the long run.