🧭June 7, 2025 Post 2: India–Central Asia Dialogue: New Pathways to the Heart of Eurasia | High Quality Mains Essay | Prelims MCQs
🛤️ India–Central Asia Dialogue: New Pathways to the Heart of Eurasia
🌍 THEMATIC FOCUS:
Syllabus: GS2 – International Relations | India’s Bilateral & Regional Diplomacy
Post Date : June 7, 2025
🪷 INTRO WHISPER:
When ancient Silk Roads meet digital rails, and Buddhist echoes return through cyber corridors, India and Central Asia script a new chapter in strategic friendship — with rupee-accounts, green energy, and cultural kinship.
🔑 KEY HIGHLIGHTS:
- Financial Integration:
• Central Asian banks opened special Rupee Vostro Accounts in India.
• Talks are on for UPI-based cross-border payments. - Trade & Connectivity:
• Push for expanding air services, Chabahar Port phase-2, and INSTC routes.
• Kazakhstan praised Indian innovation; Kyrgyzstan affirmed strategic depth; Turkmenistan described India as “a promising regional anchor.” - Shared Security & Stability:
• Coordinated views on Afghanistan.
• Emphasis on cyber-security, counterterrorism, and balancing China’s assertiveness. - Cultural & Educational Bonds:
• Rising student exchange, people-to-people links.
• Promotion of Indian culture, yoga, and cinema across Central Asia.
📘 CONCEPT EXPLAINER:
India–Central Asia Dialogue (Initiated in 2019) provides a diplomatic platform to institutionalize relations with five Central Asian Republics (CARS): Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan.
Key Focus:
- Trade & energy cooperation
- Cultural exchange
- Strategic security alignment
- Geoeconomic access to Eurasia
Major initiatives include:
- INSTC Corridor
- TAPI Gas Pipeline
- Chabahar Port Connectivity
- Digital & financial partnerships
🧭 GS PAPER MAPPING:
| GS Paper | Topic |
|---|---|
| GS Paper 2 | Bilateral Relations, Eurasian Diplomacy |
| GS Paper 3 | Infrastructure, Energy & Digital Economy |
| GS Paper 4 | Ethics in International Engagement |
🪶 A THOUGHT SPARK — by IAS Monk:
The deserts of Central Asia once carried Indian ideas on camelback. Today, they carry rupee ledgers and silicon codes. Diplomacy, too, evolves — from silk to software, from caravans to cloud.
High Quality Mains Essay For Practice :
Word Limit 1000-1200
India–Central Asia Relations: Reviving Silk Roads Through Strategic Dialogue
Introduction
India’s ancient ties with Central Asia date back to the Silk Road era, when trade, culture, and Buddhism traveled across arid deserts and fertile valleys, weaving together civilisations. In today’s multipolar world, these routes are being reimagined not as dusty trails but as modern highways of diplomacy, finance, energy, and digital connectivity. The 4th India–Central Asia Dialogue, recently hosted by External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar, reflects India’s deeper engagement with a region that is both strategically vital and culturally kindred.
As India seeks to reclaim its traditional place in Eurasian geopolitics, its approach to Central Asia must be comprehensive — combining infrastructure and energy diplomacy with soft power and strategic trust. This essay explores the significance, scope, challenges, and roadmap for enhancing India–Central Asia ties.
Historical Ties: A Civilisational Bridge
India’s engagement with Central Asia is not new. The two regions have shared millennia-old historical and cultural links.
- Silk Road Linkages: From 3rd century BCE to 15th century CE, the Silk Road facilitated a vibrant exchange of goods (spices, textiles), religions (notably Buddhism), and philosophies.
- Dynastic & Religious Crossovers: The Kushan Empire, the advent of Islamic Sufism, and later, Babar’s invasion from the Fergana Valley created strong Indo-Central Asian roots.
- Cultural Resonance: Persian, Turki, and Mongol traditions left imprints on Indian art, language, cuisine, and architecture.
This shared heritage forms the emotional and diplomatic bedrock of modern ties.
India–Central Asia Dialogue: The Modern Context
Initiated in 2019, the India–Central Asia Dialogue institutionalises India’s engagement with the five Central Asian Republics (CARS): Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan.
The 4th Dialogue (2025) focused on:
- Rupee Vostro Accounts: Enhancing trade through INR-based settlements.
- UPI Integration: Exploring digital payment linkages.
- Chabahar Port & INSTC: Boosting overland and sea connectivity.
- Air Corridors: Expanding passenger and cargo flights.
- Counter-Terrorism: Coordinated efforts on Afghanistan and regional security.
These dialogues reflect India’s strategic reorientation toward its northern neighbourhood — a region with immense geoeconomic promise.
Strategic Importance of Central Asia for India
1. Energy Security
- Central Asia holds vast reserves of natural gas (Turkmenistan), oil (Kazakhstan), and uranium (Uzbekistan).
- India seeks to diversify its energy sources beyond West Asia.
- TAPI (Turkmenistan–Afghanistan–Pakistan–India) gas pipeline, though dormant, remains a vital long-term aspiration.
2. Connectivity to Eurasia
- Central Asia is India’s gateway to Eurasia.
- The International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC) and Chabahar Port allow India to bypass Pakistan and access landlocked regions.
3. Security Concerns
- The region’s proximity to Afghanistan makes it crucial for counter-terrorism and anti-radicalisation strategies.
- India and Central Asia share concerns about the spillover of extremism, narcotics, and illicit arms.
4. Strategic Balancing
- Central Asia is increasingly influenced by China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).
- India’s presence serves as a counterbalance and a pluralistic alternative to hegemonic infrastructure models.
Key Areas of Cooperation
1. Trade & Investment
- India’s trade with the region remains under $2 billion, a fraction of its potential.
- Focus sectors: Pharmaceuticals, IT, agriculture, textiles, green energy.
- Establishment of Joint Business Councils and Special Economic Zones could spur growth.
2. Connectivity Projects
- Chabahar Port and INSTC need accelerated investment and diplomatic support.
- Direct air corridors and rail links with Iran and Azerbaijan could boost cargo flows.
3. Financial Cooperation
- Rupee Vostro accounts and potential UPI cross-border usage aim to de-dollarize trade.
- A Digital Payment Alliance could empower small businesses and e-commerce between India and Central Asia.
4. Security Cooperation
- Joint training of special forces, cybersecurity partnerships, and intelligence sharing.
- A Regional Counter-Terrorism Mechanism under India–Central Asia Dialogue is a possible next step.
5. Cultural & Educational Exchange
- Scholarships under ICCR, establishment of India Studies Centres, and language training in Hindi and Sanskrit.
- Promotion of Bollywood, yoga, and classical dance as instruments of cultural diplomacy.
- Indian universities host thousands of students from Central Asia — a critical soft-power link.
Challenges in the Partnership
- Connectivity Deficit
- Lack of direct land access via Pakistan.
- INSTC’s progress remains slow due to bureaucratic and funding bottlenecks.
- Chinese Dominance
- China’s trade with the region stands at nearly $50 billion, dwarfing India’s.
- India must navigate its presence in a China-heavy strategic landscape.
- Geopolitical Flux
- Instability in Afghanistan, tensions in Iran, and competition in Eurasia complicate India’s long-term plans.
- Logistics and Infrastructure
- High transport costs, customs delays, and inconsistent regulatory regimes.
- Fragmented Institutional Framework
- Unlike China’s BRI, India lacks a cohesive institutional mechanism for Central Asian outreach.
Way Forward: Strategic Recommendations
✅ Accelerate Connectivity
- Complete Chabahar–Zahedan–INSTC linkages.
- Propose a Digital Silk Road with Central Asia.
✅ Deepen Economic Engagement
- Fast-track FTA negotiations.
- Open trade promotion offices in all five capitals.
✅ Energy Partnerships
- Re-engage on TAPI through multilateral forums.
- Collaborate on critical minerals and green hydrogen.
✅ Cultural Diplomacy
- Organise India–Central Asia Cultural Weeks in all capitals.
- Promote Buddhist circuit tourism.
✅ Geopolitical Coordination
- Use SCO and Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) platforms for cooperative security architecture.
GS Paper Mapping
| Paper | Subtopics Covered |
|---|---|
| GS2 – International Relations | India–Central Asia Dialogue, SCO, Eurasian Diplomacy |
| GS3 – Infrastructure & Economy | Energy Security, Transport Corridors, Digital Payment Systems |
| GS4 – Ethics in Diplomacy | Civilisational Responsibility, Regional Cooperation |
Conclusion: Silk Roads of the Future
India’s renewed Central Asia policy is more than just trade or geopolitics — it’s a civilisational rediscovery. As camel caravans give way to digital corridors and rupee-led trade replaces barter routes, India must embrace this moment. Central Asia offers not just markets but also cultural synergy, energy security, and diplomatic depth.
The 4th India–Central Asia Dialogue marks a maturing partnership, driven by mutual respect and pragmatic ambition. With the right investment in diplomacy, infrastructure, and innovation, India can rebuild the Silk Roads — not as a memory, but as a future.
Target IAS-26: Daily MCQs :
📌 Prelims Practice MCQs
Topic:
MCQ 1 – Type 1: How many of the above statements are correct?
Consider the following statements regarding India–Central Asia Relations:
1. All five Central Asian countries are landlocked and rich in mineral resources.
2. India is promoting regional connectivity through the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC).
3. India’s trade with Central Asia is larger than China’s trade with the region.
4. The India–Central Asia Dialogue was launched in 2019.
How many of the above statements are correct?
A) Only two
B) Only three
C) All four
D) Only one
🌀 Didn’t get it? Click here (▸) for the Correct Answer & Explanation
✅ Correct Answer: B) Only three
🧠 Explanation:
•1) ✅ True – All five Central Asian nations are landlocked and possess rich mineral resources like uranium, oil, gold, etc.
•2) ✅ True – India is actively promoting connectivity via the INSTC to link with Central Asia.
•3) ❌ False – China’s trade ($50 billion) far exceeds India’s ($2 billion) with the region.
•4) ✅ True – The India–Central Asia Dialogue began in 2019 as a structured inter-governmental forum.
MCQ 2 – Type 2: Two Statements Based
Consider the following two statements regarding financial integration with Central Asia:
1. India’s UPI system has already been integrated with all Central Asian countries.
2. Rupee Vostro Accounts are being used to facilitate trade settlements with Central Asia.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
A) Only 1 is correct
B) Only 2 is correct
C) Both are correct
D) Neither is correct
🌀 Didn’t get it? Click here (▸) for the Correct Answer & Explanation
✅ Correct Answer: B) Only 2 is correct
🧠 Explanation:
•1) ❌ False – UPI integration is under discussion but not yet implemented across Central Asia.
•2) ✅ True – Rupee Vostro accounts have been opened to facilitate smoother trade transactions.
MCQ 3 – Type 3: Which of the statements is/are correct?
Which of the following statements are correct about India’s engagement with Central Asia?
1. The Chabahar Port is part of India’s efforts to bypass Pakistan and access Central Asia.
2. The five Central Asian nations were part of the British Empire before gaining independence.
3. Cultural exchange between India and Central Asia includes educational scholarships and yoga promotion.
4. TAPI pipeline links Central Asia with India through Iran.
Select the correct code:
A) 1, 3 and 4 only
B) 1 and 3 only
C) 2, 3 and 4 only
D) 1, 2 and 4 only
🌀 Didn’t get it? Click here (▸) for the Correct Answer & Explanation
✅ Correct Answer: B) 1 and 3 only
🧠 Explanation:
•1) ✅ True – Chabahar allows India access to Central Asia avoiding Pakistani land route.
•2) ❌ False – These countries were part of the USSR, not the British Empire.
•3) ✅ True – India offers ICCR scholarships, promotes yoga, and hosts cultural events.
•4) ❌ False – The TAPI pipeline passes through Turkmenistan, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and India – not Iran.
MCQ 4 – Type 4: Direct Fact
Which one of the following countries has the largest proven reserves of natural gas in Central Asia?
A) Uzbekistan
B) Kazakhstan
C) Turkmenistan
D) Tajikistan
🌀 Didn’t get it? Click here (▸) for the Correct Answer & Explanation.
✅ Correct Answer: C) Turkmenistan
🧠 Explanation:
Turkmenistan contains the world’s fourth-largest reserves of natural gas, making it a key energy partner for the region.