Latest news with #4thIndia-CentralAsiaDialogue
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First Post
37 minutes ago
- Business
- First Post
Soft power, sharp strategy: How India is silently securing its interests in Central Asia
Unlike China's debt traps or Russia's heavy hand, India's pitch to Central Asia feels like partnership. If Delhi plays it right, it could carve out a niche as the region's trusted friend, not its overlord read more On June 6, 2025, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar hosted the 4th India-Central Asia Dialogue in New Delhi, marking a significant step in strengthening India's ties with Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. Beyond the talk of trade corridors and energy deals, there is a grand strategy as well. Behind the handshakes and MoUs lies a high-stakes game for influence, as India counters China's Belt and Road and Russia's waning grip. Strategic footholds in a region critical to Eurasian dominance. Imagine India securing a web of partnerships that bypasses Pakistan, deters Beijing, and locks in energy routes. That's the power play unfolding. Jaishankar isn't just building bridges. He's redrawing the strategy. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD India's push into Central Asia isn't just another trade mission; it's a bold bid to reshape influence in a region that's been a geopolitical sandbox for great powers. Forget oil routes or export markets. Jaishankar's dialogues are about planting India's flag as a cultural force, using soft power—think Bollywood, yoga, and shared history—to win hearts where Beijing and Moscow wield wallets and weapons. India's not just chasing contracts; it's rewriting the rules of the game, proving it can lead without coercion. Central Asia—Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, and Tajikistan—sits at the crossroads of empires, a landlocked prize where global powers jostle for control. For decades, Russia's military might and China's Belt and Road billions have set the tone. India's entry isn't new; it's been nibbling at the edges with trade pacts and small investments. But Jaishankar's recent talks signal a shift—a deliberate pivot toward influence that doesn't rely on chequebooks or threats. Why care? Because in a world where hard power often backfires, India's softer approach could redefine how nations compete in contested regions. It's a test case for whether culture can trump cash. Let's start with the obvious: Central Asia matters. It's a treasure trove of gas, oil, and rare minerals, but more than that, it's a buffer zone between Russia, China, and the volatile Middle East. China's been pouring money into roads and railways, tying countries like Uzbekistan to its orbit with loans that often morph into debt traps. Russia, meanwhile, leans on old Soviet ties and military bases to keep its grip. Both play a zero-sum game—control or bust. India's different. Jaishankar's recent meetings, like the India-Central Asia Dialogue, pushed practical stuff: trade corridors, energy deals, even counterterrorism. But scratch the surface, and you see something else brewing. India's not trying to outspend China— it can't. Nor is it muscling in like Russia. Instead, it's banking on something neither rival can match: cultural resonance. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Take Bollywood. In Almaty, Kazakhstan's biggest city, Indian films pack theatres, and stars like Shah Rukh Khan are household names. In Uzbekistan, Indian universities are setting up campuses, drawing students who see India as a gateway to affordable, quality education. Kyrgyzstan, with its Buddhist heritage, is ripe for India's pitch as a spiritual hub—think tourist trails linking ancient monasteries to India's Buddhist circuit. These aren't just feel-good stories; they're strategic. When a Kyrgyz teen watches Dangal or an Uzbek student studies in Delhi, they're not just consuming entertainment or education—they're buying into India's worldview. Compare that to China's approach. Beijing builds shiny highways but leaves countries like Tajikistan drowning in debt—$1.2 billion owed by 2023, nearly 15 per cent of its GDP. Locals grumble about Chinese workers flooding their markets, building projects that feel more like occupation than partnership. Russia's playbook is even blunter: military drills and strong-arm tactics that remind Central Asians of Soviet days. Both powers get results, but they breed resentment. India's soft power—movies, music, shared history—slips under the radar, building goodwill without strings attached. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD History backs this up. India's links to Central Asia go back centuries, from the Silk Road to shared Buddhist and Sufi traditions. Jaishankar's not starting from scratch; he's tapping a vein of nostalgia and familiarity. In 2022, India hosted Central Asian leaders for a virtual summit, pushing cultural exchanges alongside trade. Small moves, like $1 million grants for community projects in Kyrgyzstan, show India's not just talking the talk. These gestures aren't flashy, but they're deliberate—seeds for long-term influence. The gamble's not without risks. Central Asia's leaders are pragmatic; they'll take India's scholarships but still court China's cash. And India's own backyard—think Pakistan and Bangladesh—keeps Delhi distracted. But here's the edge: India's not seen as a bully. Unlike China's debt traps or Russia's heavy hand, India's pitch feels like partnership. If Delhi plays it right, it could carve out a niche as the region's trusted friend, not its overlord. Jaishankar's Central Asia play isn't about outbidding China or outmuscling Russia—it's about outsmarting them. In a region where power has long meant money or might, India's betting on a different currency: ideas. Bollywood beats, Buddhist trails, and classroom exchanges might not make headlines like billion-dollar deals, but they're quietly shifting the board. Central Asia's not just a market—it's a proving ground for India's rise as a cultural great power. Watch closely: this is how you win a game without firing a shot. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The writer is a columnist. His articles have appeared in various publications like The Independent, The Globe and Mail, South China Morning Post, The Straits Times, etc. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstpost's views.
India Gazette
2 days ago
- Health
- India Gazette
India, Central Asia pledge joint action on health and climate
New Delhi [India], June 6 (ANI): At the 4th India-Central Asia Dialogue held in New Delhi on Friday, the foreign ministers of India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan reiterated their commitment to collaborative approaches to global public health, sustainable development, and climate resilience. The meeting underscored shared priorities, including India's One Earth, One Health vision, the DAKSHIN initiative for South-South cooperation, glacier preservation, and clean energy platforms like the International Solar Alliance (ISA). Health cooperation was a core theme of the discussions, with all sides expressing their desire to deepen collaboration in the healthcare sector, including medical tourism. Under the One Earth, One Health framework, the Ministers agreed to jointly enhance healthcare infrastructure and service delivery across Central Asia and promote the use of traditional medicine. India offered technical support to help design Universal Health Coverage (UHC) models tailored for Central Asian contexts. The Ministers also agreed to explore the possibility of establishing a Joint Working Group on Cooperation in Healthcare, read the Joint Statement of the 4th India-Central Asia Dialogue. Capacity building and knowledge sharing remained another key pillar of the dialogue. To further their commitment to South-South cooperation, the Ministers agreed to work closely with India's Global South Centre of Excellence--DAKSHIN (Development and Knowledge Sharing Initiative). The platform will facilitate the exchange of development experiences to solve shared challenges using inclusive and scalable models. Climate resilience and environmental protection are also prominent. The Ministers commended the First High-Level International Conference on Glaciers' Preservation held in Dushanbe from May 29 to 31, 2025, organised in observance of the International Year of Glaciers' Preservation and World Glaciers' Day. The meeting emphasised the vital link between glaciers and sustainable socio-economic development, particularly for mountain regions dependent on freshwater sources, added the statement. In line with the Sustainable Development Goals, India highlighted the role of the International Solar Alliance (ISA) and invited Central Asian nations to join. The Ministers acknowledged ISA's importance as a mechanism for advancing the implementation of the Paris Agreement and for building clean, inclusive energy futures. India also encouraged participation in related initiatives such as the Global Biofuels Alliance (GBA) and the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI). The dialogue reflected a growing convergence between India and Central Asia on holistic, cross-sectoral cooperation. The Ministers thanked the Government of India for its warm hospitality and agreed to continue expanding these partnerships in the years ahead. (ANI)
India Gazette
2 days ago
- Business
- India Gazette
India, Central Asia push for regional connectivity through INSTC
New Delhi [India], June 6 (ANI): At the 4th India-Central Asia Dialogue held in New Delhi on Friday, India and the Foreign Ministers of five Central Asian nations reaffirmed their commitment to deepening cooperation through enhanced connectivity and human resource development through the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC) and the Chabahar Port, aiming to strengthen trade and economic ties while bypassing certain geographic constraints. The meeting, chaired by External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, placed particular focus on the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC), the strategic utility of the Chabahar Port, and the expanding role of the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) programme. The Ministers emphasized the optimum use of the INSTC to boost linkages between India and Central Asia and welcomed Kazakhstan's initiative to develop the eastern branch of the corridor. India reiterated its support for Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan joining the INSTC framework. The statement stressed that all connectivity initiatives should adhere to principles of transparency, broad participation, local priorities, financial sustainability, and respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, read the Joint Statement of the 4th India-Central Asia Dialogue. The potential of the Chabahar Port as a regional trade hub received strong endorsement. The Ministers appreciated the first meeting of the India-Central Asia Joint Working Group on Chabahar Port held in Mumbai in April 2023. India welcomed the interest of Central Asian nations in using the Shahid Beheshti Terminal to facilitate trade with India and beyond. The sides agreed to continue engagement to develop the region's transit potential through streamlined transit procedures and broader adoption of TIR Carnets between India and Central Asia, added the statement. Recognising the importance of financial and banking linkages in facilitating regional trade and connectivity, the Ministers also underlined the need for deeper financial connectivity. This includes the promotion of digital payment systems, enhanced interbank relations, and trade in national currencies. The statement noted interest in establishing a Joint Working Group to explore options to strengthen banking and financial cooperation. On capacity building, the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) programme was appreciated by the Central Asian Foreign Ministers for its contributions in areas such as Information Technology and communication skills in English. India expressed readiness to expand the scope of the ITEC programme to align with the growing developmental interests of Central Asian countries, added the statement. The 4th Dialogue reflected the continued evolution of the India-Central Asia partnership into one based on practical collaboration, mutual benefit, and shared commitment to sustainable regional growth. The Ministers thanked India for its hospitality and agreed to hold the next edition of the Dialogue in 2026. (ANI)
India Gazette
3 days ago
- Business
- India Gazette
'We stand firm, resolute in our collective fight against terror'
New Delhi [India], June 6 (ANI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday reaffirmed India's commitment to fighting terrorism, stating that India stands firm and resolute in its collective fight against this threat in the backdrop of the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, which claimed the lives of 26 tourists. Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed optimism about strengthening ties with Central Asia, following the 4th India-Central Asia Dialogue and posted on X, 'Delighted to meet with the Foreign Ministers of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan. India deeply cherishes its historical ties with the countries of Central Asia. Look forward to working together to further deepen our cooperation in trade, connectivity, energy, fintech, food security and health for mutual progress and prosperity. We stand firm and resolute in our collective fight against terrorism.' India hosted the 4th edition of the India-Central Asia Dialogue on Friday in New Delhi, reaffirming its growing commitment to a comprehensive regional partnership across security, connectivity, economic cooperation, and people-to-people ties. The meeting, chaired by External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, saw the participation of Foreign Ministers from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan, and produced a detailed Joint Statement setting the tone for the next phase of India-Central Asia strategic engagement. The Ministers began by reaffirming the deep civilizational, cultural, and historical linkages between India and Central Asian countries, while underscoring their collective resolve to build a forward-looking, enduring partnership. The Dialogue was praised as a key platform for addressing common challenges, strengthening multifaceted cooperation, and harnessing untapped potential to advance shared interests, including peace, security, and sustainable growth in the region. The Joint Statement recorded satisfaction at the progress made since the first India-Central Asia Summit in January 2022, noting advances across sectors. A key area of focus was enhancing trade and investment, with Ministers acknowledging the current levels and calling for expanded efforts in high-potential areas such as pharmaceuticals, IT, agriculture, energy, textiles, and gems and jewellery. Strengthening financial connectivity through digital payment systems, interbank relations, and trade in national currencies was emphasised, with both sides expressing interest in establishing a Joint Working Group to deepen banking and financial ties. Connectivity featured prominently, with strong endorsement of the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC). India reiterated its support for the membership of Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan in INSTC, and Kazakhstan was lauded for its work on developing its eastern corridor. Chabahar Port also received attention, as the Ministers welcomed continued engagement and simplification of goods transit procedures, including greater use of the TIR Carnet system. India welcomed Central Asian interest in the Shahid Beheshti Terminal at Chabahar as a key trade route to India and beyond. The Ministers welcomed the contributions of the India-Central Asia Business Council (ICABC) in fostering business linkages and investment opportunities. Acknowledging India's ITEC Programme, the Central Asian countries appreciated its role in capacity building, particularly in IT and English language training, and India agreed to broaden its scope to cover additional areas of mutual interest. Expanding technology cooperation was a major theme, with both sides agreeing to promote partnerships in science, space, innovation, and digital infrastructure. Central Asian countries noted India Stack's role in digital transformation, and India agreed to assist in developing Digital Public Infrastructure in the region. The Ministers also agreed to launch an India-Central Asia Digital Partnership Forum, with Uzbekistan offering to host the first meeting. In areas of development partnership, the Ministers stressed joint collaboration in healthcare, food and energy security, public health, and digital innovation. The sides committed to deepening cooperation in healthcare infrastructure, medical tourism, traditional medicine, and UHC models, with the possibility of creating a Joint Working Group on health, the press release stated. Mineral exploration also featured in the talks, with renewed focus on rare earth and critical minerals. Building on the first India-Central Asia Rare Earth Forum in 2024, the Ministers called for holding its second edition soon and encouraged delegation exchanges to explore new areas of cooperation. India's recent capacity building initiatives, such as training programmes on Drug Law Enforcement and Countering Terror Financing, were acknowledged as important steps. The Ministers agreed to continue these exchanges under the banner of South-South cooperation and welcomed collaboration with India's Global South Centre of Excellence 'DAKSHIN.' Cultural ties were also emphasised. Noting longstanding civilisational connections, the Ministers agreed to further strengthen cultural, educational, and humanitarian cooperation. Tajikistan offered to host the second meeting of the India-Central Asia Culture Ministers. Indian Cultural Centres were praised for enhancing cultural diplomacy and bilateral understanding. Security issues were addressed with strong emphasis on coordinated efforts to combat terrorism. The Ministers unequivocally condemned the 22 April terrorist attack in Pahalgam, reaffirming their collective stand against terrorism in all forms and calling for accountability of perpetrators, organisers, and sponsors. They stressed that cross-border terrorism, safe havens, terror financing, radical ideology, and cyber misuse must be addressed, and reiterated the urgency of adopting the UN Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism. Full implementation of UNSC resolutions, the Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy, and FATF standards was also highlighted. In this regard, regular consultations among National Security Councils were supported, with the next round to be held in Kyrgyz Republic. The Joint Statement further noted multilateral synergies. The Ministers welcomed the designation of 2025 as the 'International Year of Peace and Trust' and the upcoming International Forum of Peace and Trust in Ashgabat. They also praised the First High-Level Conference on Glaciers' Preservation held in Dushanbe. They expressed interest in advancing mountain development under the 'Five-Year Action Plan' from the 77th UN General Assembly. The MEA stated in the press release that the Second Global Mountain Summit 'Bishkek+25' in 2027 was acknowledged as an important next step. Ministers expressed strong support for the SCO's role in regional security and people-to-people engagement. They praised the Council of SCO Heads of State meetings hosted in Astana (2024) and India (2023), reaffirming Central Asia's centrality in the SCO and India's active participation. India, in turn, invited Central Asian countries to join key multilateral initiatives such as the International Solar Alliance (ISA), Global Biofuels Alliance (GBA), Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI), and the International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA), as mechanisms for sustainable and inclusive growth. The Central Asian countries reaffirmed their support for India's bid for permanent membership in a reformed and expanded UN Security Council. Afghanistan was also discussed, with shared emphasis on a peaceful, terror-free, and drug-free Afghanistan and commitment to close coordination on related issues. The integration of the Termez logistics hub into the UNHCR global stockpile network and Kazakhstan's initiative to establish a UN SDG Hub in Almaty were welcomed, highlighting regional humanitarian and development efforts. Youth diplomacy was also recognised, with support for continued student exchanges and emphasis on student welfare in both regions, as per the MEA press release. Concluding the Dialogue, the Ministers agreed to deepen cooperation across all shared priorities and prepare for the second India-Central Asia Summit later in 2025. They also agreed to hold the 5th India-Central Asia Dialogue in 2026 and thanked the Indian side for its warm hospitality and productive chairmanship. (ANI)
Time of India
3 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
'Bring sponsors, perpetrators & financiers of terror to justice'
NEW DELHI: The 4th India-Central Asia Dialogue saw the two sides stressing that perpetrators, organisers, financiers and sponsors of terrorist acts must be held accountable and brought to justice, while also unequivocally condemning the Pahalgam attack. In a joint statement, they underlined the need to strengthen UN-led global counterterrorism cooperation and fully implement the relevant UNSC resolutions, Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy and FATF standards. External affairs minister S Jaishankar and his counterparts from Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic and Turkmenistan called on PM Narendra Modi after the Dialogue that saw focus on issues related to connectivity, trade, investment and counterterrorism. "India deeply cherishes its historical ties with the countries of Central Asia. Look forward to working together to further deepen our cooperation in trade, connectivity, energy, fintech, food security and health for mutual progress and prosperity,"Modi said in a post on X, adding both sides stood firm and resolute in their collective fight against terrorism. A joint statement said that the ministers unequivocally condemned the terrorist attack in Pahalgam.
