India and Central Asia : exploring new horizons for cooperation

Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan, the five Central Asian republics in India’s extended neighbourhood, have achieved significant political, economic and cultural development since their independence in early 1990s.

Rich historical past, availability of huge energy resources, more than two decades of relative peace, gradual opening of economies and centrality of the region in inter and intra-continental transportation and communication links have made Central Asia an area of great interest for scholars, businesses, travellers as well as regional and extra-regional countries.

In the changing regional and international dynamics, India is increasingly seen by Central Asian countries as a friend and partner in economic development, primarily due to the historical linkages between the two and immense soft power enjoyed by India among the people in the region.

The complementarities of South Asia and Central Asia necessitate deeper engagements between the countries of the two fast developing regions. On the other hand, the situation in Afghanistan, in view of the drawdown of international forces, requires greater convergence among regional neighbours to stabilize the country economically and politically.