Article on Central Asia-JAIR Convn-2011 (original) (raw)

Situating Tajikistan in India’s Central Asia Policy: A Strategic Dimension

Electronic Journal of Social and Strategic Studies, 2021

India and Tajikistan share deep historical and cultural relations. Tajikistan was a part of the Kushana and Persian Empire, which had close cultural linkages with India. Throughout the Islamic rule in India, the Persian language and Sufism from Turkestan got assimilated into Indian society. It has become the foundation of cultural and linguistic cooperation in modern times. Tajikistan's strategic location makes it significant for India's Central Asia policy. It is regarded as India's 'Gateway to Central Asia.' The Wakhan Corridor, a narrow strip in Afghanistan divides India from Tajikistan. A major challenge in enhancing bilateral ties between the two countries has been the lack of direct connectivity. Tajikistan shares a direct border with Afghanistan and has always been vulnerable to the dissemination of terrorism, extremism and drug trafficking in its territory. Similarly, India faces a direct threat from radical forces being supported and propagated by Pakistan within its territory and in Afghanistan. Therefore, India-Tajikistan cooperation in the security and defence sector has been fundamental for their economic and political relations. In 2015, PM Modi visited five Central Asian countries in one go, including Tajikistan, which is considered a landmark in enhancing India's footprint in Central Asia. In October 2018, Indian President Sri Ramnath Kovind and a high-level delegation paid an official visit to Tajikistan and met with his Tajik counterpart; defence and security remained the key points of discussion between the two leaders. These high-level visits and discussions have strengthened the bilateral cooperation framework despite the absense of land connectivity. India is working towards bridging this gap of connectivity by investing in the development of Chabahar port in Iran and the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC). India's multi-billion humanitarian and developmental assistance to Afghanistan is also intended to stabilize the country, as without a stabilize Afghanistan; India's aspirations of connecting with Central Asia could not be achieved. This paper would assess the significance of Tajikistan as an aspect of India's extended neighbourhood policy. Also, the regional factors affecting their relations will be critically examined in this research paper.

India's concern with China and Pakistan presence in Central Asia

isara solutions, 2023

The paper emphasizes the importance of Central Asia and the challenges which India have, through the presence of China and Pakistan in Central Asia, especially China's belt and road initiatives passing through the disputed part of India and Pakistan. The paper will also review the challenges, India have after the U.S. left Afghanistan and the rise of the Taliban. The main focus of the paper will be on India's strategic interest in Central Asia and as a platform to serve its security, economics, and global reach aspects. Methodologies included in the paper will be through the various international Journal, national journals, newspaper articles, books, and Online journal availability. India's presence in Central Asia will cross-check the anti-India activities by Pakistan and China. And it will further boost the better trade relation with Central Asian countries, such as India through the famous policy of Connect Central Asia policy.

India-Russia Strategic Partnership in Central Asia

isara solutions, 2022

The emergence of Central Asia generated new geopolitical creation which has an important strategic role to play in the coming years. The Central Asian region has been in a state of constant flux due to developments caused by the external involvement for control over its natural resources, efforts to provide alternate transport routes to most of the landlocked countries of the region. It is also one of the most convenient routes of transit. It is rich in minerals, especially hydrocarbons. Specialists point out that in the 21st century, Central Asia will become an important region. The growing role of major powers in the region for making their influence is another side of the Central Asian coin. It is in such a context, the present time is attempting to explore how far geo-political calculation is a factor in India's new policy 'Connect Central Asia' and its implications for India. Side by side, it also tries to explore the evolving relations with the region having common interests on many issues in South and Central Asia regions from geopolitical and geostrategic perspectives. This paper focuses on Indo-Russian defense Cooperation, Security and their reassertions in the changing geopolitical environment of Central Asia.

India and Central Asia: Interests, Opportunities and Challenges -2008

Located at the heart of the Eurasian subcontinent and endowed with large energy resources, Central Asia is currently an arena of fierce competition among major powers for influence and control. The situation in the region seems to be developing into a new version of the Great Game that was played out between Great Britain and Russia in the 19 th century. Aspiring to be an influential global power, India cannot afford a passive approach to the region given its age-old ties, growing energy needs and overriding security concerns.

"Tajikistan: A Factor in India’s Security Calculus"

Abstract Central Asia is becoming a region of great interest to India. All the states are faced with various kinds of problems and the challenges are to work for peace and stability in the region. Tajikistan is one such country where its relations with India have found supreme expression in the sphere of economic, culture, defence and terrorism. The author in the article discusses all the issues in detail which affects the bilateral relations between India and Tajikistan. In analyzing the relations it is seen the problem is quite an internal problem and it is related to drugs and terrorism. In future, if both the countries want to play positive role then they will have to fight against it which has not only disturbed the power politics of the region but also of the globe. Key Words: border dispute, ethnic problem, Pakistan occupied Kashmir, Strategic

Regional Processes and Geopolitics of India, Afghanistan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan (IATU)

Jadavpur Journal of International Relations, 2018

The article attempts to examine the nature of interaction that exists among India, Afghanistan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan (IATU) and the need to give an institutional basis to such a relationship spanning across Central and South Asia. Using some of the existing theoretical frameworks of regional cooperation, the study argues that even though such an institutional relationship looks futuristic, it has much relevance in the present context due to its functional necessity. Some of the factors such as a ‘common geo-culture’, ‘geo-strategic compulsions’, and ‘economic necessities’ are providing the basis for the emergence of such kind of cooperation among these four states.

The Importance of Regional Triangular - India-Pakistan-Afghanistan and Russian Interests in the Region

Journal of Education Culture and Society

Aim. The paper aims to analyze the importance of such tangled triangular as India-Pakistan-Afghanistan and their impact over the whole Asia and its regional stability and security. The already complex region is complicated by interference of such great powers as Russia and pursuing its interests in the whole regional politics and each country separately. The paper examines the strategic interests and the level of cooperation and influence of India in Afghanistan and its implications for Pakistan. Methods. The study mainly is based on the following research methods: descriptive, analysis and document analysis, and analytical. The paper is based on the books, scientific papers, studies and researches conducted by the field’s researchers. Results. We can claim that the work clearly describes the significant role of India that makes its presence justified there to achieve its broader aims via Afghanistan. Although there will remain a sizeable role of US presence in Afghanistan, however...