To commemorate the 30th anniversary of India-Central Asia diplomatic relations, ICWA hosted a one-day International Conference, “Dynamics of India-Central Asia Relations: Scale & Scope”, at Sapru House, New Delhi on 15 December 2022. The Conference saw in-person participation by Ambassadors/Charge d’Affaires of Central Asian Republics and scholars & former diplomats from Central Asian countries and India. Members of the diplomatic corps in Delhi and the academic and strategic community also attended the Conference.
In the Inaugural Session, Amb Vijay Thakur Singh, DG, ICWA, said that the 30 years of India’s relations with Central Asian countries have been a momentous journey of friendship and cooperation. India was one of the first countries to establish diplomatic relations with all five countries of the region. Over the period, the relationship has evolved into enduring strategic partnerships with different countries in the region. The visit of Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi to all five Central Asian countries in 2015 was a significant milestone in strengthening the relations. She underlined that growing areas of convergence between India and Central Asian countries include regional connectivity, regional security, energy security, economic cooperation, and people-to-people contacts.
In his Keynote Address, Amb. Sanjay Verma, Secretary (West), Ministry of External Affairs, New Delhi, elaborated that in the last three decades, India has worked with Central Asia mainly through the bilateral track. Today, the engagement benefits from the ‘CA 5 Plus’ mechanism of consultation, which began in 2019 at the Foreign Ministers’ level, and it has now been raised to the level of a Summit, with the First India-Central Asian Summit held in January 2022. In terms of scale and scope, India and Central Asian countries needed re-imagination informed by the fast-changing realities of our times. The opportunities and challenges of India-Central Asia ties can and must change for mutual advantage. Central Asia, strategically located at the centre of the Eurasian landmass, is not a distant region from India, it is very much a part of India’s ‘Extended Neighbourhood’.
The Inaugural Session was also addressed by Mr. Nurlan Zhalgasbayev, Ambassador of the Republic of Kazakhstan; Mr. Lukmon Bobokalonzoda, Ambassador of the Republic of Tajikistan to India; Mr. Azamat Seidibaliev, Cd’A of the Republic of Kyrgyzstan to India; Mr. Aziz Baratov, Cd’A of the Republic of Uzbekistan to India and Mr. Isgender Ataliyev, Representative from Embassy of the Republic of Turkmenistan in India. They emphasised greater cooperation in various spheres, including connectivity and regional security between India and the region.
The First Session on ‘India-Central Asia Security and Strategic Interests’ was Chaired by Amb. Gitesh Sarma, former Secretary (West), Ministry of External Affairs and Former Ambassador of India to Uzbekistan. Speakers of the Session were Prof. Svetlana Kozhirova, Professor, Head of the Center for Chinese and Asian Studies, International Science Complex “Astana”, Astana, Kazakhstan; Mr. Eldor Tulyakov, Executive Director, Development Strategy Centre, Tashkent, Uzbekistan; Dr. Saihomid Sharipov, Head of the Department for Analysis and Forecasting of the Internal Policy of the Centre for Strategic Research under the President of the Republic of Tajikistan, Dushanbe, Tajikistan; and Dr. Rajorshi Roy, Associate Fellow, Manohar Parrikar Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses, New Delhi.
The First Session discussed Central Asia’s security and strategic interests, the challenges related to regional geopolitics and regional security, and the necessity to combat extremism, terrorism, narcotics trafficking, and arms smuggling. Security challenges in the Central Asian region are related to political stability, social and economic development, internal security threats, and unhindered transportation. Establishing effective mechanisms for consolidating the aspirations of all the Central Asian states is crucial to address modern threats and challenges. Panelists spoke on the Russia-Ukraine crisis and Afghanistan, which remains the main external concern of the region. The participants highlighted that the geopolitical situation in Central Asia depends on the growth and emergence of new global players such as India and China.
The Second Session on ‘India-Central Asia Connectivity: Regional Cooperation and Multilateral Engagement’ was Chaired by Amb Vinod Kumar, former Ambassador of India to Uzbekistan. The panellists of the Session were Mr. Nurbek Mamytov, Researcher, National Institute for Strategic Studies under the President of the Kyrgyz Republic, Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan; Mr. Tursunov Batir Erkinovich, Deputy Director, International Institute for Central Asian Studies, Tashkent, Uzbekistan; and Dr. Meena Singh Roy, Senior Fellow & Head, West & Central Asia Centre, Tillotoma Foundation.
This Session discussed regional cooperation and connectivity through multilateral engagements. The participants highlighted that India and CARs had undertaken important initiatives to strengthen the connectivity links, such as the INSTC and Ashgabat Agreement and to utilise the potential of Chabahar Port. They noted that Chabahar Port could play an essential role in connectivity for India and Central Asian countries. The need to go beyond physical connectivity and explore digital connectivity in areas such as tele-education and tele-medicine was also noted. The participants also noted that multilateral forums, such as SCO, CICA and EEU, are vital in improving linkages. They can also assist in understanding the trajectory of regional cooperation and multilateral engagements between India and the wider Eurasian region.
The Third Session on ‘India-Central Asia: Cultural and People to People Relations’ was Chaired by Amb. Ashok Sajjanhar, former Ambassador of India to Kazakhstan. Speakers of the Session were Mr. Evgeny Kablukov, Acting Professor, Faculty of International Relations and Oriental Studies, Kyrgyz National University, Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan; Mr. Mamurdzhon Mirvaisov, Head, Dept. of International Relations, Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Tajikistan; Prof. K. Warikoo, JNU (Retd.), Secretary General, Himalayan Research and Cultural Foundation, New Delhi; and Prof. Sanjay Pandey, Professor, Centre for Russian and Central Asian Studies, JNU, New Delhi.
The Third Session underscored the strong historical and cultural connections between India and the Central Asian region. The speakers suggested that both sides have a strong base to build fruitful engagement in various common areas. They mentioned that bilateral relations have to be developed in a broad-based manner. Both sides need to update information about each other. It is a fact that there is a New India and a New Central Asia. Many speakers underlined the aspects that bind India and Central Asian countries in common cultural perceptions and people-to-people engagement. It was highlighted that the young generation should be made aware of the shared heritage through enhanced media sensitisation. As regards the shared Buddhist heritage, urgent steps are needed to restore, protect, and document of edicts, historical and cultural sites in the region. The potential of tourism, medical tourism, healthcare sectors and enhanced air connectivity was emphasized.
The Fourth Session on ‘India-Central Asia: Energy Geopolitics, Economy and Trade’ was Chaired by Amb. Yogendra Kumar, former Ambassador of India to Tajikistan. The panellists of the Session were Mr. Kairat Batyrbayev- Executive Director, Eurasian International Studies Association, Astana, Kazakhstan; Mr. Ameet Kumar, Director, South and Central Asia, Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), New Delhi; and Dr. Mahesh Ranjan Debata Assistant Professor, Centre for Inner Asian Studies, School of International Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi.
The Fourth Session elucidated the broad contours of the economic relationship between India and the region. It was suggested that there is a vast scope for enhancing cooperation in economic sphere. Apart from a lack of direct land connectivity, structural limitations have resulted in sub-optimal economic ties. Development of direct contacts between various Indian states and Central Asian regions can address some of these impediments. The Ukraine conflict has disrupted supply chains in the region, resulting in a growing realization on the need to diversify especially the energy supply routes. The energy routes leading to India are considered promising for the region. It was noted that building a strong investment relationship between India and Central Asia needed to be prioritized; for India, the Central Asia region is a gateway to CIS and European markets.
Amb Vijay Thakur Singh, DG, ICWA, delivered Concluding Remarks. She observed that India-Central Asia relations are set to grow further with intensified diplomatic engagement and enhanced cooperation in a wide range of sectors including connectivity and energy. The Conference was successful in achieving its objective of exchanging views on global developments, the strategic environment and its implication on India and Central Asia’s relationship. In this changing landscape, the Conference aimed to explore the prospects for working together with India and Central Asian countries and also identify the challenges involved in the process.
*****