India courts Central Asia

India is intensifying its diplomacy in Central Asia - not out of mere politeness, but for strategic reasons. While the states in the region are expanding their relations with Pakistan and considering new trade routes towards the Arabian Sea, New Delhi is trying to secure its influence and keep pace economically. Trade between India and the five Central Asian republics reached almost 2.5 billion US dollars in 2025, well above the level of Pakistan. However, there is growing concern in New Delhi that Islamabad could exploit its geographical advantage: Central Asia has been looking for better access to seaports for years - and Pakistan can offer just that. New competition for Central Asia In recent weeks, India has visibly intensified its contacts in the region. Representatives from Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan held talks with Indian officials in order to expand economic cooperation beyond traditional areas such as energy and pharmaceuticals. Uzbekistan is likely to be particularly important in this regard. The joint government commission for trade is due to meet in Tashkent in April. Preparations are already underway for economic forums in Tashkent and Samarkand, which are intended to initiate new projects. India is also working towards a broader agenda in Turkmenistan. In addition to energy issues, the focus there is now also on chemicals, fertilizers, transport and telecommunications. This is not least due to the hope that the long-discussed TAPI pipeline - the connection that is to bring Turkmen gas to Pakistan and India via Afghanistan - could become a reality after all. Energy, electricity, uranium At the same time, India is exploring new partnerships in the electricity sector. New Delhi is talking to Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan about cooperation in energy and grid infrastructure. In Tajikistan, the Indian company Tata Power could play a role in the expansion of renewable energies and the modernization of the power grid. Kyrgyzstan, on the other hand, is hoping for Indian interest in the Casa-1000 project, which has been planned for years to transport electricity from Central Asia to Afghanistan, Pakistan and, in the long term, India. Kazakhstan is also of particular importance. The country is already one of India's most important partners in Central Asia. A potential major deal for uranium supplies is now on the table, which could be worth more than three billion US dollars. Should the agreement come to fruition, it would not only be economically significant, but also send a strategic signal. Pakistan becomes a factor There is a geopolitical impetus behind India's new activity: Pakistan is becoming more of a focus for Central Asia as a transit country and trading partner. In recent months, the presidents of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan have traveled to Islamabad. Uzbekistan even wants to massively expand its trade with Pakistan by 2030. For the countries of Central Asia, this is more than just symbolic politics. Access to Pakistani ports could open up new trade routes for the region and reduce dependence on existing transit corridors. India is therefore making sure that Pakistan's geographical proximity does not turn into a strategic advantage. New Delhi is trying to counter this with diplomacy, energy projects and investment commitments. The competition for Central Asia has thus reached a new phase. The post India courts Central Asia appeared first on ostwirtschaft.de.