Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to visit Uzbekistan and attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in Bishkek. Pankaj Saran presents the trip as India’s return to its Central Asian neighbourhood. The visit can deepen strategic, economic and diplomatic engagement across a changing Eurasian region.

Why Central Asia Matters to India

  1. The region lies between Russia and China and is also exposed to instability from Afghanistan.
  2. Its countries differ in ethnicity, language, resources and foreign-policy choices.
  3. Legacy disputes over borders, water and overlapping ethnicities complicate relations within the region.
  4. Türkiye and Iran retain influence while China’s role grows and Russia’s position weakens.
  5. Historical connections link India with Central Asia through culture, religion, language and architecture.

India’s Renewed Engagement with the Region

  1. Modi’s 2015 visit to all five Central Asian countries ended India’s earlier practice of deferring to Russia in the region.
  2. India became a full member of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation in 2017.
  3. India invited all Central Asian leaders for Republic Day 2022, though the pandemic moved the engagement online.
  4. These exchanges produced mechanisms including the India-Central Asia Dialogue.

Uzbekistan as a Strategic Partner

  1. Uzbekistan has diversified its foreign policy under President Shavkat Mirziyoyev since 2016.
  2. Its opposition to terrorism and extremism aligns with India’s security interests.
  3. Its knowledge of Afghanistan and pragmatic approach towards the Taliban are valuable to India.
  4. India and Uzbekistan can revisit rail and road routes through Iran and Afghanistan.

India’s Interests and Constraints within the SCO

  1. The organisation grew from the Shanghai Five in 1996 to 10 members, 15 dialogue partners and two observers.
  2. India’s participation is driven by geography rather than ideological alignment.
  3. Negotiations are difficult because China and Pakistan often operate together within the organisation.
  4. India uses the forum to promote security, connectivity, technology and civilisational cooperation.

Priorities for Deeper Central Asian Engagement

  1. India can expand cooperation in trade, defence, natural resources and technology.
  2. Cultural, educational, health and tourism exchanges can reinforce existing goodwill.
  3. Central Asian partnerships can strengthen India’s continental diplomacy alongside its Indian Ocean engagement.

Mains Angle

GS Paper II: India’s neighbourhood and regional groupings. Practice question: Assess how Central Asia and the SCO advance India’s continental strategy despite connectivity constraints.