Transitions in India’s Foreign Policy Landscape with Central Asia

Abstract

India has been persistently making efforts in order to establish sustainable relationships with Central Asia on geo-strategic and geo-economic front. These efforts are attributed to expansion and strengthening of Foreign Policy Landscape with the Central Asia and deriving benefits on account of the collaboration. The advent of this collaboration got spark post the Independence of Central Asian Republics (CARs) in the 1990s. Since then, Central Asia became a buzzword in the world politics. As a result, each power is now trying hard in order to ensure congenial geostrategic and geo-economic relationships with the Central Asia. USA is economic donor and security manager for the region. China through economic policies is trying to expand relationships with the region. Russia remains at the outskirts if the region and is trying to influence the region by utilising traditional linkages. Before dissolution, India though did not show much interest initially due to Russian influence in the region. But now the efforts are being made through certain policy initiatives that can further expand its relationship with the Central Asian Region (CARs). These CARs include Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan.  The major areas of deliberations include elevating trade and connectivity, spurring economic development, expansion of partnership, ensuring energy security, etc.  With this premise, it becomes imperative to understand the geostrategic relationship between India and Central Asia. The paper, at the outset, discusses the historical perspectives of India and central Asia. Thus, the present paper gives its justification by delineating the strategic interests of India with Central Asia from the perspective of India's foreign policy. The paper further talks about the strategic interest of Central Asia with India. Thus, an attempt has been made to explain the major policy initiatives undertaken that aim at solidification of India-Central Asia relationships.