India and Central Asian Republics

Contents: Preface. 1. Introduction. 2. Geo-political setting and foreign policy. 3. India’s interests and policy options. 4. Economic Relations. 5. Strategic Relations. 6. Political Relations. 7. Convergences and Divergences : Contemporary Trends. 8. Conclusion. Appendices. Bibliography. Index.

“The demise of erstwhile Soviet Union and the end of cold war have posed great challenges and brought about a sudden shift in global balance of forces. International relations are going through unprecedented and profound changes. These changes also forced India to construct policies to deal with this emerging situation. In recent years, India has shown greater willingness to evolve a new framework for resolving the bilateral disputes around its border. The focus of Indian foreign policy increasingly shifted form global issues to events relating to the regional one. The fear of increasing fundamentalism and economic crises led India to adopt ‘Look Asia Policy’ in the decade of 90’s. It has created the bases for bold and innovative changes in policy formation of India  towards its immediate and extended neighbourhood particularly Central Asia.

The Central Asian Republics (CARs) have emerged as the centre stage of power politics due to their location, mineral, oil wealth and destabilized political system. This scenario has also serous ramification for India in its policy formation. It makes imperative for India to look towards this area with more seriousness due to its geo-strategic and geo-political implication for Indian security. India’s policy with this region, which took a distinctive shape since the early 1990s, has been a multi-pronged approach encompassing political, strategic and economic aspects. It is sought to strengthen economic and political ties with this much talked extended neighbourhood.

This book provides theoretical understanding of geo-political dynamics of Central Asian Republics and their foreign policies. It also reveals India’s interests and policy options towards this region. It also reveals India’s interests and policy options towards this region. It also evaluates the real nature of bilateral relations between India and CARs.

The book may be beneficial for students, teachers, diplomats, policy-makers, as well as, common readers engaged in understanding the current dynamism around India particularly in its extended neighbourhood.”(jacket)