A Closing Window of Opportunity: India’s Central Asia Policy in a new Eurasian security context

The report examines India’s opportunities and constraints in Central Asia, particularly emphasizing the role of Chabahar port and India’s geopolitical challenges. It also assesses Chinese influence and suggests actionable measures to enhance India’s engagement with the Central Asian Region.

India’s Central Asia (CA) policy had acquired greater momentum and focus before Russia’s war on Ukraine in early 2022. However, the sudden eruption of the Russia-Ukraine war led to uncertainty in New Delhi about the future political trajectory of Central Asia in light of growing Russian weakness in the region. The report discusses India’s trajectory of opportunities and constraints vis-à-vis CA, especially in light of recent changes. In particular, the report focuses on the emerging role of Chabahar port in driving India’s CA policy and illustrating India’s geopolitical challenges in the region. The report also takes stock of Chinese economic, security, and political influence in CA and notes adaptations in China’s approach in recent years. Finally, the report discusses the broader policy approach India should adopt, in light of emerging trends. It recommends actionable measures India can take to broaden and augment its engagement with CA.

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