Rekindling the Silk Road: India Hosts Central Asian Foreign Ministers Amid Shifting Geopolitics

As the Eurasian geopolitical landscape undergoes dramatic shifts, India’s External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar welcomes his counterparts from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan to New Delhi for the fourth India-Central Asia Dialogue.

Running through June 6, the high-level meeting signals New Delhi’s intensified strategic outreach to a resource-rich region bound to India by ancient trade routes, shared history and growing geopolitical relevance in a multipolar world order.

This contemporary dialogue draws strength from a legacy centuries old. As Professor Nirmala Joshi of  Jawaharlal Nehru University notes, the Silk Road was more than just commerce; it was a channel for spiritual and cultural exchange.

“Buddhism’s journey from India to Central Asia created a spiritual kinship,” she explains, pointing to archaeological sites like Termiz, Fayaz Tepe and Adzhina Tepe where Indian monks once thrived.

After the Soviet Union’s dissolution in 1991, India swiftly recognised the independence of the Central Asian Republics (CARs), establishing diplomatic ties by 1992. However, it was Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s 2015 visit to all five CARs that transformed the relationship.

“Modi’s ‘Connect Central Asia’ policy moved us from nostalgia to action,” says Ambassador Ashok Sajjanhar, former envoy to Kazakhstan, highlighting India’s interest in the region’s resources, security landscape and strategic location.

India has since institutionalised its relations through several strategic platforms. The India-Central Asia Summit, launched virtually in 2022 under Prime Minister Modi’s leadership, led to the adoption of the ‘Delhi Declaration,’ establishing regular summits and ministerial exchanges.

The India-Central Asia Dialogue, first held in Samarkand in 2019, has become the central coordination mechanism at the foreign minister level, with each edition focusing on critical areas like security and connectivity.

Meanwhile, the Security Advisors’ Dialogue, launched in Delhi in 2022 and hosted again in Astana in 2023, addresses pressing concerns such as terrorism, cyber threats, and narcotics, complemented by training initiatives for Central Asian officials in counter-terror financing and drug enforcement.

Three Pillars of Partnership: Security, Development and Trade

The relationship stands on three robust pillars. In defence and security, India conducts joint military drills such as KAZIND with Kazakhstan, KHANJAR with Kyrgyzstan and DUSTLIK with Uzbekistan.

Indian military academies train CAR defence personnel, with strategic defence partnerships established with all CARs except neutral Turkmenistan. According to Alexey Kupriyanov of the Russian Academy of Sciences, shared concerns over Afghanistan’s instability make such cooperation essential.

India’s development and capacity-building initiatives are also significant. Over 8,000 professionals and students from CARs have received training under Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) and ICCR scholarships.

India has set up IT Centres in all five capitals and major infrastructure and training projects, such as a bio-medical research centre in Kyrgyzstan and a renovated hydro plant in Tajikistan, demonstrate a hands-on development model. High Impact Community Development Projects (HICDPs) further strengthen local capacities across the region.

Trade, however, remains underwhelming. Despite strong historical links, bilateral trade peaked at USD 3 billion in 2019–20, but has declined to around USD 1.2 billion in FY 2024–25. Experts like Dr. Gulshan Sachdeva of JNU attribute the drop to limited overland connectivity and disruptions caused by the Russia-Ukraine conflict. He also cites a lack of mutual business awareness as a challenge.

Connectivity remains a critical hurdle. India’s push for the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC) and development of Chabahar Port in Iran are at the core of its strategy to circumvent Pakistan and reach Central Asia efficiently.

While operational, both corridors face infrastructural and political challenges. Yet, Chabahar remains a vital asset. As a SIPRI report notes, “Chabahar is more than a port; it’s India’s geoeconomic key to unlocking Central Asia.” India continues to advocate for greater Central Asian use of the port despite geopolitical constraints around Iran.

Cultural Ties and Grassroots Linkages

India and Central Asia also share deep-rooted cultural and people-to-people ties. From ancient Buddhist heritage sites to modern-day yoga popularity and Bollywood fandom, cultural synergy remains vibrant.

Around 45,000 Indians, mostly students and professionals, live across the CARs, with Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan hosting large numbers. Tourist traffic has surged, with over 200,000 Indian visitors in 2024, thanks to relaxed visa regimes, including visa-free entry for Indians to Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan and e-visas for the remaining republics.

The timing of this dialogue reflects major regional realignments. Russia’s declining influence, exacerbated by its war in Ukraine, has opened the door for new players. China’s Belt and Road Initiative has expanded its economic footprint, though some CARs are wary of Beijing’s growing leverage.

India positions itself as a transparent and non-threatening alternative. Meanwhile, Afghanistan’s instability continues to loom large, making regional security collaboration imperative.

With four CARs (except Turkmenistan) also members of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), multilateral synergy is emerging. All five countries also support India’s bid for a permanent seat on the UN Security Council.

Looking Ahead: Trade, Tech, and Trust

This year’s dialogue is expected to address a broad spectrum of issues: boosting trade beyond the USD 1.2 billion plateau, enhancing INSTC and Chabahar port usage, exploring new air and digital corridors and expanding cooperation in technology, space, disaster management and climate-resilient agriculture.

Security will feature prominently, especially in the context of Afghanistan, cyber threats and radicalisation. Ministers will also discuss global challenges such as the Ukraine conflict, food and energy security and UN reform.

Running parallel to the diplomatic meetings is the India-Central Asia Business Council (ICABC), co-organised by India’s Ministry of External Affairs and FICCI on June 5. The council facilitates direct business-to-business engagement, focusing on overcoming barriers and creating real commercial partnerships.

“Governments can open doors, but businesses must walk through,” a FICCI spokesperson noted, highlighting the council’s importance in translating policy into practice.

Strategic Autonomy through Connectivity

As the ministers gather in New Delhi, all eyes are on whether India can translate dialogue into deliverables, particularly in connectivity. The success of the Chabahar Port as a viable route for CAR trade could become a litmus test for India’s broader geoeconomic strategy.

Analysts view this initiative as part of India’s long-term goal to secure its extended neighbourhood and strengthen ties beyond its immediate region. “India offers Central Asia a partnership grounded in historical goodwill, economic pragmatism and geopolitical balance,” concludes Dr. Sachdeva.

Ultimately, the fourth India-Central Asia Dialogue stands not just as a diplomatic milestone, but as a reaffirmation of ancient bonds and a modern commitment to shared prosperity and security.

Its legacy will hinge on trade flows, functional transport corridors and sustained regional collaboration, which is critical for both India’s aspirations and Central Asia’s autonomy in a complex global landscape.