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DTSTART;TZID=Asia/Kolkata:20120710T053000
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DTSTAMP:20261104T191317
CREATED:20231223T134306Z
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UID:63164-1341898200-1341898200@idsa.in
SUMMARY:India’s Engagement with Central Asia: Exploring Future Directions
DESCRIPTION:Event Report\nIn order to celebrate and build on the twenty years of friendship and cooperation between India and Central Asian Republics\, a roundtable on “India’s Engagement with Central Asia: Exploring Future Directions” was organized at IDSA. The event was chaired by the Director General of IDSA. Dr. Arvind Gupta\, with the Ambassadors of Kazakhstan\, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan in attendance as speakers and participants along with a host of Indian and Eurasian academics\, analysts\, experts and observers. \nDr. Gupta initiated the discussion by briefly highlighting India’s new Connect Central Asia policy. He elaborated upon the opportunities and challenges that exist in the current partnership with the Central Asian countries. These include relaxation of visa regimes\, better air and land connectivity\, cooperative security framework for regional stability\, greater emphasis on people to people and cultural contacts (track 1.5 and track 2 levels of diplomacy)\, establishment of a Central Asia University\, multilateral engagements through Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA) and Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) and improving the current low levels of economic ties. \nDr. Irina Orolbaeva\, Ambassador of Kyrgyzstan to India\, highlighted India’s historical and cultural links with the Central Asian Republics (CARs) and welcomed India’s desire to strengthen ties with Kyrgyzstan and Central Asia through the new ‘Connect Central Asia Policy’. She referred to the first India-Central Asia Dialogue\, a Track-II initiative organized in June 2012 in Bishkek as a step towards building long-term partnerships with the Eurasian region. Kyrgyzstan and India share a special bond especially with the introduction of parliamentary democracy in the country. She argued that India’s active presence in the Central Asian region will help promote stability in the area especially with the 2014 deadline in Afghanistan fast approaching. Moreover\, Dr. Orolbaeva stressed on the need to revive cultural\, humanitarian\, educational and scientific exchanges (especially amongst the youth of the two countries) and felt that the proposed Indian university in Kyrgyzstan is a step in the right direction. She urged the Indian government to explore the possibility of setting up an India Cultural Center in Bishkek. Economic and financial ties could be strengthened by promoting investment and cooperation in sectors such as education\, mining\, agriculture\, pharma\, leather\, cotton\, textiles and tourism. The Ambassador emphasized on the need to improve air and land connectivity between Central Asia and India and observed that Kyrgyzstan is keen on bringing Indian technology and expertise to the country. She particularly appreciated India’s contribution towards the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) gas pipeline and International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC) projects which will have benefits for the entire region.   \nMr. Doulat Kuanyshev\, Ambassador of Kazakhstan to India\, welcomed India’s soft power initiative in the region through the new Connect Central Asia Policy and highlighted the close ties Kazakhstan has enjoyed with India in the last two decades citing the recent high level visits. There is an institutional cooperative mechanism of dialogue on many critical sectors. The Ambassador reiterated Kazakhstan’s support for India’s bid for a permanent seat at the UNSC\, full membership within the SCO and in other international and regional fora and lauded India’s contribution in making CICA a success. Mr. Kuanyshev observed that there is an enormous potential for big Indian Corporations (synonymous with economic success) to invest in Kazakhstan and recommended the bridging of information gap amongst the business communities on both sides. Referring to the energy sector\, the Ambassador recommended that India should tap into the secondary markets since at present the Kazakhstan government has put on hold the issue of allocation of ‘rights for exploration of new blocks’. Mr. Kuanyshev outlined Kazakhstan’s initiative in the International North South Transport Corridor (INSTC) project\, expressed his appreciation for India’s contribution in the project and felt that its completion will help boost economic ties between the two countries.   \nMr. Saidov Saidbeg Boykhonovich\, Ambassador of Tajikistan to India\, highlighted the existence of strong ties between the two countries especially in the field of economy\, polity\, science and culture. Tajikistan and India have effective cooperative mechanisms in the IT\, hydroelectricity\, railways\, education\, health care (military hospital)\, defence and security sectors. The Ambassador observed that the two countries share common concerns over terrorism since Tajikistan is itself a victim of Taliban and Uzbek Islamic terrorism. There exists a joint working group on counter-terrorism. Tajikistan and India share similar views on many issues of mutual concern and there are no contentious issues in their bilateral relationship. Highlighting the opportunities that can be explored\, Mr. Boykhonovich felt that it was an excellent time to improve tourism between the two countries and air connectivity between India and Tajikistan is being developed with the introduction of the Delhi-Sharjah-Dushanbe flight. There is an enormous potential for Indian companies to invest and set up joint ventures in Tajikistan especially in the agriculture sector. The recently concluded agreement on agriculture will form the basis for cooperation in areas like scientific agricultural research and exchange of information. There are frequent cultural and political exchanges and President Rahmon’s visit to India later in the year will add further substance to the partnership. Elaborating upon the need for improving connectivity in the region\, the Ambassador appreciated India’s contribution towards the INSTC project. However\, he also suggested that India can explore the option of a trade route through the Karakoram highway. Observing that it has been just twenty years since the CARs were established\, Mr. Boykhonovich requested for Indian support and hoped that it will provide the same facilities to CARs as it does to SAARC countries. Citing the differences in education systems between Tajikistan and India\, the Ambassador called for relaxation in norms for Tajik students wanting to study in India. \nShri Ajay Bisaria\, Joint Secretary\, Eurasia Division\, MEA\, elaborated upon the Indian Government’s June 2012 Connect Central Asia policy. The word ‘connect’ refers to the core policy of establishing an e-network to provide medicine and education expertise to Central Asia with India as the hub\, thereby increasing the country’s engagement with its extended neighbourhood and giving substance to the existing political relationship. India will continue to maintain high-level political contact with the CARs. Mr. Bisaria observed that India is working on developing significant strategic\, security\, developmental and defence projects with Central Asia apart from intense discussions on Afghanistan with each CAR. Considering that tourism is followed by business\, there is a need to improve India’s connectivity (both land and air) with the region. The civil aviation industry has recently approved 14 flights to Central Asian countries. India is committed to the INSTC project and is also exploring alternative routes. Meanwhile\, a comprehensive economic agreement is being worked out with the CARs. TAPI can be a major game changer and if successful\, could open the doorway to several more road and rail links. India wants to be a long-term energy partner in the region. Cooperation on energy will definitely boost trade for both Central Asia and India. India hopes to be active in Central Asia with flagship projects involving medicine\, health\, IT\, energy and education (establishment of a Central Asia University) and seeks a long term profitable partnership with the CARs. There is also a need to explore multilateral cooperative mechanisms in the form of SCO\, CICA and various economic integration projects.  \nAmbassador (retd) Rajiv Sikri emphasized on the need for CARs to start working together as a group. However\, he felt that deep differences among the countries may prevent them from working as closely as they should. Referring to TAPI\, he observed that the project is relevant only to Turkmenistan and not Tajikistan; whereas Tajikistan has interests in hydropower and transmission lines. Similarly\, developments in Afghanistan are of more relevance to the bordering countries. These differences will make policy implementation very difficult. Besides\, the China factor is more relevant and influential for all Central Asian countries than India. Therefore\, there is a need to project India as a serious and big partner in the region. India can explore the option of joint science and technology projects. Moreover\, Ambassador Sikri suggested that the CARs can leverage their geographical location for being passenger and cargo hubs on the lines of the Gulf countries and focus should not be limited to trade alone. With developments in Afghanistan reaching a critical phase\, he elaborated on the need for CARs to push for India’s full membership in the SCO if they want India to have a greater presence in the region. \nProf. Gulshan Sachdeva observed that in recent years a lot of research has been done on the geopolitics and geo-economics of the region which is in line with the government’s changing policy towards the region. The main trigger to improve linkages between India and Central Asia is the current scenario in Afghanistan and the speculation over its future. The knowledge that developments in Afghanistan and Pakistan will have an impact on the entire region has spurred greater cooperation between CARs and India. Therefore\, for the future\, building of strategic cooperation\, development of economic relationship and establishment of cost effective modes of connectivity will be the main priorities for India and CARs.  \nProf. Arun Mohanty observed that it would have been easier for India to engage with CARs if they were in a politically and economically unified space. While comparing both India’s and China’s economic engagement with CARs\, he observed that India lags far behind China in practically every sphere of economic cooperation and infrastructure building. Prof. Mohanty argued that India should aim to promote educational exchanges with CARs\, provide greater access to cost effective medical facilities and explore the option of anti-terrorism information exchanges with SCO. \nKey points that were raised during discussions; \n\nIndia and CARs must discuss ways to tide over the Afghan quagmire. \nThe possibility of using the Karakoram highway as a trade route can be explored.  \nIn order to bridge the academic gap\, ICSSR can take the initiative to translate historical texts especially in the Persian language. Doordarshan too needs to be pro-active in airing cultural programmes.  \nThe possibility of sending Indian archaeologists for joint expeditions and explorations in Central Asia can be explored. \nThe existence of convergence of economic interests of all participating nations of TAPI must be fully channelised. \nIndia is building a small Hydel power plant in Central Asia as part of its developmental project initiatives in CARs. \n\nClick Here for Concept Note
URL:https://idsa.in/idsa-event/indias-engagement-with-central-asia-exploring-future-directions
CATEGORIES:ROUND TABLES / WORKSHOPS,EVENT REPORT
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DTSTART;TZID=Asia/Kolkata:20120710T053000
DTEND;TZID=Asia/Kolkata:20120710T053000
DTSTAMP:20261104T191317
CREATED:20231224T111223Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250311T073320Z
UID:64485-1341898200-1341898200@idsa.in
SUMMARY:India’s Engagement with Central Asia: Exploring Future Directions - Concept Note
DESCRIPTION:Venue: Room 005\, IDSA \nIDSA is organizing a roundtable on “India’s Engagement with Central Asia: Exploring Future Directions” to celebrate Twenty Years of Friendship and Cooperation between India and Central Asian Republics.  \nThe roundtable aims to initiate a free flowing discussion amongst the scholars\, experts\, officials and diplomats in order to explore the possibilities of future engagement with the region.   \nDr. Arvind Gupta\, Director General\, IDSA will chair the proceedings.  \nConcept Note\nOver the past few years\, New Delhi has stepped up its engagement with the Central Asian Republics (CARs)—Kazakhstan\, Kyrgyzstan\, Tajikistan\, Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan—with the aim of building a long-term partnership\, both bilaterally and collectively. India has also expressed its desire to play an expanded and more meaningful role in the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO)\, including its bid for full membership in the organization. India has also been a consistent supporter and active participant of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence-Building Measures in Asia (CICA). (CICA is the only Central Asian forum of which India is a member.) The high-level visits from both sides—Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev’s visit to Delhi and President Pratibha Patil’s visit to Tajikistan in 2009; Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s visit to Kazakhstan in 2011; Uzbek President Islam Karimov’s visit to India in May 2011; and the two-day visit by SM Krishna to Tajikistan on 2-3 July 2012—reflect the growing political ties between India and the Central Asian region. New Delhi is now looking forward to Tajik President Emomali Rahmon’s visit to India in September 2012. \nThe first India-Central Asia Dialogue\, a Track-II initiative organized on 12-13 June 2012 in Bishkek\, Kyrgyzstan\, was yet another step towards building a long-term partnership with the Eurasian region. The objective behind this regional conference is to start a regular annual dialogue forum among academics\, scholars\, government officials and business representatives from India and the CARs\, with the aim of providing inputs to governments on both sides. It was during this regional conference that E. Ahmad\, Minister of State for External Affairs\, pronounced India’s new “Connect Central Asia”  Policy. He said: “India is now looking intently at the region through the framework of its ‘Connect Central Asia’ policy\, which is based on pro-active political\, economic and people-to-people engagement with Central Asian Countries\, both individually and collectively.” The “Connect Central Asia” policy is a broad-based approach\, which encompasses political\, economic and cultural connections between India and the CARs. \nKrishna’s visit to Tajikistan is a continuation of India’s new policy approach towards the CARs and its readiness to play a pro-active\, meaningful and sustained role in the Eurasian region. He articulated this very clearly in his address to the Heads of Missions conference in Dushanbe where he stated that as the Eurasian region undergoes rapid transition\, the time has come for India to evolve a calibrated and co-ordinated response in its engagement with each of the countries in the region to further secure India’s core national interests. As a part of its “Connect Central Asia” policy\, India plans to set up an Indian-Central Asia University in Kyrgyzstan and is looking towards deploying its soft power to consolidate goodwill in all Central Asian countries through IT\, culture\, networking with young politicians and academia. In addition\, New Delhi is talking with Tajikistan to set up a military hospital and also plans to operate up to 14 direct flights to Dushanbe. To begin with\, both India and Tajikistan will launch four flights each. \nThe other important area of the “Connect Central Asia” policy is India’s economic ties with the region. While Krishna asked the 11 Indian heads of mission in the region to work on converting India’s “enormous goodwill” into “tangible and strategic advantages”\, the current status of India’s trade with these countries\, which is pegged at a mere $500 million\, indicates the most unsatisfactory part of an otherwise excellent relationship with the region. Connectivity through land and sea routes to Central Asia is still a big challenge. Related to the issue of economic cooperation is the aspect of the relevance of the energy-rich Eurasian region for energy-deficit India. India views Central Asia as a long-term partner in the energy and natural resources trade. \nTo improve connectivity to the region\, India is working on the International North South Transport Corridor (INSTC) among other options. India and the CARs share common concerns on terrorism\, extremism\, and drug–trafficking. The current developments in Afghanistan and the proposed western military pullout by 2014 raise serious questions on the stability of the region as a whole. India plans to further strengthen its strategic and security cooperation with all the CARs with a focus on military training\, joint research\, counter-terrorism coordination and close consultation on Afghanistan within the framework of its “Connect Central Asia” policy. \nAs India moves ahead with its “Connect Central Asia” policy to cement its relations with the Eurasian region\, it is extremely significant to get the Central Asian perspective on India’s role in the region. Equally important would be to debate how India-Central Asia relations can be further strengthened. This Roundtable proposes to discuss current status of the India-Central Asia relationship\, its newly pronounced “Connect Central Asia” policy\, analyse problem areas\, and pave the way for mutually-beneficial future engagement.    \nListed below are themes on which the discussions may focus: \nRegional Issues \n\nRegional dynamics: Key security challenges for India and CARs\nRole of the Regional Organisations: SCO\,CSTO\, CIS\nFeasibility of joint policy initiatives\n\nBilateral Issues \n\nCentral Asian response to “Connect Central Asia” policy\nWhere does India figure in Central Asian Foreign Policy Priorities?\nWhat should be the roadmap of cooperation in economic and strategic arenas?\n\nClick Here for Event Report
URL:https://idsa.in/idsa-event/indias-engagement-with-central-asia-exploring-future-directions-concept-note
CATEGORIES:ROUND TABLES / WORKSHOPS
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