Why india to play a greater role in central asia?
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Indian interests in Central Asia encompass energy-strategic-commercial-diplomatic spheres. ‘Connect Central Asia Policy’ of India is one of the means to achieve these.
Importance of Central Asia for India
COMMERCIAL INTERESTSAccess to Central Asian markets and further with better accessibility to East European and Russian markets.Indian construction companies have a proved record of quality and cost effective execution of projects.Absence of a viable banking infrastructure in the region is a major barrier to trade and investment. Indian banks can expand their presence if they see a favourable policy environment.ENERGY INTERESTS - DIVERSIFYING OUR ENERGY BASKETOil and Natural Gas rich Caspian Sea (Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan) and thus the emergence of TAPI pipelineCoal in Karaganda(Kazakhstan)Uranium reserves for nuclear power plants in Western Kazakhstan (According to the World Nuclear Association, two thirds of the world's uranium comes from mines in Kazakhstan, Canada and Australia. As of May 2015, Kazakhstan produced 41 percent of the nuclear fuel)Rich potential of hydro power in Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan and proposed CASA1000 project (Central Asia- South Asia Energy grid). These are all extremely significant as India diversifies her energy basket to quench her energy thirst.STRATEGIC INTERESTIndian only foreign military airbase is in Farkhor(Tajikistan), which is operated by IAF and Tajik Air Force. This is significant given Pakistan’s ban of Indian overflights.Balancing Pakistan on its western front is also achieved with significant Indian presence in Central Asia and Afghanistan. Kindly note the importance of Wakhan Corridor of Afghanistan (borders 3 countries - India, Pakistan, China) (the area PAMIRS in the below image)
4. CONTROLLING ORGANISED CRIMES
Central Asia is neighboring ‘Golden Crescent’ of opium production (Iran-Pak-Afghan) and is also a victim of terrorism, illegal arms trade. India is also not new to these problems on its western front. Collaboration and cooperation with Central Asia in this regard benefits the entire region.5. SOFT POWER DIPLOMACY, PEOPLE-PEOPLE TIES
a. Medical field offers huge potential for cooperation. India is ready to extend cooperation by setting up civil hospitals/clinics in Central Asia.
b. India’s higher education system delivers at a fraction of the fees charged by Western universities. India also plans to assist in the setting up of a Central Asian University in Bishkek that could come up as a centre of excellence to impart world class education in areas like IT, management, philosophy and languages.
c. India is working on setting up a Central Asian e-network with its hub in India, to deliver, tele-education and tele-medicine connectivity, linking all the five Central Asian States.
Central Asia being a crucial part of Mackinder’s Heartland theory, thus holds a lot a significance for India.
Importance of Central Asia for India
COMMERCIAL INTERESTSAccess to Central Asian markets and further with better accessibility to East European and Russian markets.Indian construction companies have a proved record of quality and cost effective execution of projects.Absence of a viable banking infrastructure in the region is a major barrier to trade and investment. Indian banks can expand their presence if they see a favourable policy environment.ENERGY INTERESTS - DIVERSIFYING OUR ENERGY BASKETOil and Natural Gas rich Caspian Sea (Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan) and thus the emergence of TAPI pipelineCoal in Karaganda(Kazakhstan)Uranium reserves for nuclear power plants in Western Kazakhstan (According to the World Nuclear Association, two thirds of the world's uranium comes from mines in Kazakhstan, Canada and Australia. As of May 2015, Kazakhstan produced 41 percent of the nuclear fuel)Rich potential of hydro power in Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan and proposed CASA1000 project (Central Asia- South Asia Energy grid). These are all extremely significant as India diversifies her energy basket to quench her energy thirst.STRATEGIC INTERESTIndian only foreign military airbase is in Farkhor(Tajikistan), which is operated by IAF and Tajik Air Force. This is significant given Pakistan’s ban of Indian overflights.Balancing Pakistan on its western front is also achieved with significant Indian presence in Central Asia and Afghanistan. Kindly note the importance of Wakhan Corridor of Afghanistan (borders 3 countries - India, Pakistan, China) (the area PAMIRS in the below image)
4. CONTROLLING ORGANISED CRIMES
Central Asia is neighboring ‘Golden Crescent’ of opium production (Iran-Pak-Afghan) and is also a victim of terrorism, illegal arms trade. India is also not new to these problems on its western front. Collaboration and cooperation with Central Asia in this regard benefits the entire region.5. SOFT POWER DIPLOMACY, PEOPLE-PEOPLE TIES
a. Medical field offers huge potential for cooperation. India is ready to extend cooperation by setting up civil hospitals/clinics in Central Asia.
b. India’s higher education system delivers at a fraction of the fees charged by Western universities. India also plans to assist in the setting up of a Central Asian University in Bishkek that could come up as a centre of excellence to impart world class education in areas like IT, management, philosophy and languages.
c. India is working on setting up a Central Asian e-network with its hub in India, to deliver, tele-education and tele-medicine connectivity, linking all the five Central Asian States.
Central Asia being a crucial part of Mackinder’s Heartland theory, thus holds a lot a significance for India.
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