Context

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s forthcoming visit to Uzbekistan and participation in the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Bishkek underline the growing importance of Central Asia in India’s foreign policy.
• The region, comprising Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan, occupies a crucial position between Russia, China, Afghanistan, Iran and South Asia.
• For India, Central Asia is not merely a distant neighbourhood but a space of historical, cultural, economic and strategic significance.

Central Asia: A Region in Transition

• Central Asia emerged as a new geopolitical region following the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991.
• The post-Soviet generation now constitutes a growing part of its population and is engaged in building new national identities and political equilibria.
• Although Islam is the predominant religion, most Central Asian states have resisted turning religion into a political project.
• At the same time, terrorism, extremism and radicalisation remain major security concerns. Afghanistan’s instability, China’s concerns about radicalisation in its western regions and terrorist attacks such as the 2024 Crocus City Hall attack highlight the region’s vulnerability.
• The region is also marked by ethnic diversity, linguistic plurality, geographical differences and unequal resource endowments.

India’s Growing Engagement with Central Asia

• India’s engagement represents a gradual departure from its earlier tendency to defer to Russian influence in Central Asia.
• Modi’s 2015 visit to all five Central Asian republics marked a significant turning point.
• India subsequently became a full member of the SCO in 2017, providing an important multilateral platform for engagement.
• India’s decision to invite all five Central Asian leaders as chief guests for Republic Day in 2022 further demonstrated the region’s importance.
• Although the COVID-19 pandemic prevented their physical participation, the initiative contributed to institutional mechanisms such as the India-Central Asia Dialogue.
• These developments indicate a transition from limited diplomatic engagement to a more comprehensive regional strategy.

Beyond Geography: Civilisational Connectivity

• India’s relationship with Central Asia extends far beyond physical geography.
• Centuries of interaction have produced strong cultural, linguistic, religious, architectural and commercial linkages.
• The region is part of the wider Eurasian continuum, and India’s historical connections with cities such as Samarkand and Bukhara remain deeply embedded in its civilisational memory.
• The absence of direct overland connectivity, largely because of geopolitical constraints, should not diminish these relationships.
• India must therefore pursue connectivity through alternative routes, particularly through Iran and potentially Afghanistan.
• Central Asian countries are increasingly seeking partners beyond Russia and China.
• India’s experience as a pluralistic, moderate and democratic society provides it with a distinctive source of soft power and makes it an attractive partner for regional development. 

Uzbekistan: A Strategic Gateway

• Uzbekistan occupies particular importance in India’s Central Asian strategy.
• Relations have improved substantially under President Shavkat Mirziyoyev since 2016, as Tashkent has pursued a more diversified foreign policy.
• Cooperation with Uzbekistan can expand across trade, defence, technology, education, healthcare, tourism and natural resources.
• Its firm opposition to terrorism and extremism is especially relevant to India. Uzbekistan’s geographical proximity to Afghanistan and its pragmatic understanding of developments involving the Taliban make it an important security partner.
• India and Uzbekistan should therefore revisit proposals for alternative rail and road connectivity through Iran and Afghanistan, taking into account changing regional circumstances.

India and the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation

• The SCO has evolved from the Shanghai Five established in 1996 into a major Eurasian organisation with 10 members, 15 dialogue partners and two observers.
• India’s participation is primarily driven by geography and strategic necessity rather than ideological convergence.
• India faces difficult negotiations within the SCO because of the close China-Pakistan relationship. Nevertheless, disengagement would leave India with fewer opportunities to influence Eurasian affairs.
• India has consequently advocated cooperation in security, connectivity, technology, economics and civilisational exchanges.
• For smaller Central Asian states, particularly those heavily dependent on China, India’s presence offers an opportunity to diversify strategic and economic partnerships.

Challenges and Opportunities

• India’s Central Asian strategy faces several obstacles, including lack of direct connectivity, Chinese economic dominance, Russian influence, instability in Afghanistan, limited trade volumes and unresolved regional disputes.
• However, these challenges also create opportunities. India can strengthen its presence through energy partnerships, critical minerals, defence cooperation, digital technology, pharmaceuticals, education, healthcare, tourism and cultural diplomacy.
• Connectivity initiatives through Iran can provide India with greater access to Eurasian markets.
• A sustained and multidimensional approach can help India transform historical goodwill into tangible strategic partnerships.

Conclusion

• Central Asia is becoming increasingly important as the geopolitical balance of Eurasia changes.
• India cannot afford to view the region through the narrow lens of geography or traditional diplomacy.
• Its historical connections, security interests, economic opportunities and shared concerns over terrorism provide a strong foundation for deeper engagement.
• The renewed focus on Uzbekistan and the SCO should therefore form part of a broader strategy to establish India as an independent, reliable and constructive partner in Eurasia.
• By combining connectivity, economic cooperation, security partnerships and civilisational diplomacy, India can consolidate its rightful place in a rapidly evolving Central Asian order.