Abstract: Since the turn of the century Central Asia has become increasingly important to India as a means for maintaining regional stability, especially in the border areas between Pakistan and Afghanistan. India was also one of the first countries to open a consulate in what later became Uzbekistan’s capital Tashkent and has had a fully operational airbase in Tajikstan since 2006, making it one of only four countries to have a military base in Central Asia. The significance of Central Asia to India has also grown as India has sought to diversify its energy sources by including such imports from the region. Despite all Central Asian Republics having a higher per capita income than India, a central focus of India’s relations with these countries has been through its development cooperation. Though Indian aid to this region constitutes less than one percent of the total volume of grants and Lines of Credit extended by India overseas, the number of Central Asian bureaucrats who have received training through the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) training program is significant.
Post description
- Publication year: 2014
- Content type: Policy brief
- Form of cooperation: Comprehensive (Lines of credit, grants and loans, and technical assistance)
- Cooperation context: Multilateral
- Region (country): Central Asia
- Sector: Multisectoral; security; energy; infrastructure
- Institution (publisher): Centre for Policy Research, India
- Author (and co-authors): Dr Rani Mullen, Kailash Prasad, Hemant Shivakumar and Persis Taraporevala
- Keywords: Central Asia; Central Asian Republics (CARs); ITEC; Afghanistan; South-South development cooperation
- Link: CPR site