Editorial: Challenges in Central Asia

The first India-Central Asia Summit, hosted against the backdrop of developments in Afghanistan and the changing geopolitical dynamics, demonstrates India’s growing role as a stabilising force in the volatile region. With Pakistan trying to fish in troubled waters and China flexing its muscles in pursuit of its hegemonic ambitions, India has a historic opportunity to […]

The first India-Central Asia Summit, hosted against the backdrop of developments in Afghanistan and the changing geopolitical dynamics, demonstrates India’s growing role as a stabilising force in the volatile region. With Pakistan trying to fish in troubled waters and China flexing its muscles in pursuit of its hegemonic ambitions, India has a historic opportunity to boost its ties with the Central Asian nations and wean them away from Chinese influence. The virtual meeting, hosted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, came at a time when the importance of these nations— Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan — is growing in many ways following the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan and the resultant global concerns over terrorism. The leaders at the virtual meeting agreed on creating a joint working group on Afghanistan and on putting in place an institutionalised framework for collaboration and regular interactions, including the holding of the summit every two years. There was also talk of jointly working on connectivity initiatives centred round India’s presence at Iran’s Chabahar port and creating a road map that builds on the past 30 years of ties. India needs to step up efforts to further deepen the bond with the Central Asian nations. Towards this direction, New Delhi did take the initiative and organised the first regional security dialogue on Afghanistan in November last year, which was attended by all the Central Asian countries. The ‘Delhi Declaration’, issued at the end of the conference, had sent out a strong message that Afghanistan should not allow safe havens for terror on its soil.

The region holds great strategic importance for India, with Kazakhstan being the largest supplier of uranium. And, India has, for long, had a presence at the Farkhor military air base in Tajikistan. Central Asia is key to India’s vision of an integrated and stable extended neighbourhood and the decision to hold regular meetings of top security officials reflected the strong focus on security issues for all the countries. It must be ensured that Afghanistan”s territory should not be used for sheltering, training, planning or financing any terrorist acts. The Central Asian countries, especially those which share a land border with Afghanistan, like Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, are worried about a spillover into their territories. India too prefers a stable Afghanistan that is impervious to the machinations of terror groups, particularly those encouraged and nurtured by Pakistan’s military establishment. Trade between India and the Central Asian states was worth $3 billion in 2020, with Kazakhstan accounting for more than 80% of it. In contrast, China’s trade with the region was worth almost 10 times as much. India has the wherewithal to take the ties to a qualitatively higher level while working for greater regional stability.

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