India is courting Central Asia
India is stepping up its diplomatic efforts in Central Asia—not out of mere courtesy, but for strategic reasons. While the countries in the region are strengthening their ties with Pakistan and exploring new trade routes toward the Arabian Sea, New Delhi is seeking to secure its influence and keep pace economically.
Trade between India and the five Central Asian republics reached nearly $2.5 billion in 2025, significantly exceeding Pakistan’s level. But in New Delhi, concerns are growing that Islamabad could capitalize on its geographical advantage: Central Asia has been seeking better access to seaports for years—and Pakistan can offer exactly 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 to expand economic cooperation beyond traditional sectors such as energy and pharmaceuticals.
Uzbekistan is likely to play a particularly important role in this regard. The joint intergovernmental commission on trade is scheduled to meet in Tashkent in April. Preparations are already underway for economic forums in Tashkent and Samarkand, which are intended to kickstart new projects.
India is also working to broaden its agenda in Turkmenistan. In addition to energy issues, the focus there now also includes chemicals, fertilizers, transportation, and telecommunications. Underlying this is, not least, the hope that the long-discussed TAPI pipeline might yet become a reality—the connection intended to transport Turkmen gas through Afghanistan to Pakistan and India.
Energy, Electricity, Uranium
At the same time, India is exploring new partnerships in the electricity sector. New Delhi is discussing cooperation on energy and grid infrastructure with Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan. In Tajikistan, the Indian conglomerate Tata Power could play a role in expanding renewable energy and modernizing the power grid.
Kyrgyzstan, for its part, is hoping for Indian interest in the Casa-1000 project. The power line, which has been in the planning stages for years, is intended to transport electricity from Central Asia to Afghanistan, Pakistan, and eventually to India as well.
Kazakhstan is also of particular importance. The country is already one of India’s most important partners in Central Asia. Now a potential major deal regarding uranium supplies is on the table, which could reach a volume of more than three billion U.S. dollars. Should the agreement come to fruition, it would not only be economically significant but also send a strategic signal.
Pakistan becomes a factor
Behind India’s new activity lies primarily a geopolitical impulse: Pakistan is increasingly coming into 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 plans to massively expand its trade with Pakistan by 2030.
For the Central Asian states, 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 working to ensure that Pakistan’s geographical proximity does not translate into a strategic advantage. New Delhi is attempting to counter this with diplomacy, energy projects, and investment commitments. The competition for Central Asia has thus entered a new phase.
