The National Security Advisor (NSA) of India, for the first time, hosted a special meeting with his counterparts from Central Asian countries - Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan.

• Earlier in January 2022, the Prime Minister of India hosted thefirst India-Central Asia Summit in virtual format.

Major outcomes

• 30^thAnniversary: This was the first time that NSAs of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan were in Delhi for a high-level security meeting.
  • The meeting coincides with the 30^thanniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between India and the Central Asian countries.
• Afghanistan the Centre of Talks:The focus was mainly on the security situation in Afghanistan and the threat of terrorism originating from the country under the Taliban.
• Deliberations over Chabahar:The NSAs supported India’s proposal to include Chabahar port within the framework of the INSTC (International North-South Transport Corridor) connecting Iran to Russia via Central Asia.
• Other Deliberations:Deliberations over the need for collective and coordinated action against the “misuse of new and emerging technologies, arms and drugs trafficking, abuse of cyber space to spread disinformation and unmanned aerial systems”.
• Institutionalisation of Mechanism:During the summit, the leaders agreed to institutionalise the Summit mechanism by deciding to hold it biannually.
  • An India-Central Asia Secretariat in New Delhi would be set up to support the new mechanism.

Looking ahead

• When others engage with Central Asia from their own perspectives; China from economic, Turkey from ethnic, and the Islamic world from religious -it would be befitting for India to give a cultural and historical perspective to the region through a summit-level annual meet.
  • Avalue-driven cultural policy can help strengthen India-Central Asia bonds.
• India’s growing global visibility and key contributions to multilateral forums like the SCOhave catapulted India from an observer into a critical stakeholder in the region.
  • Central Asia provides India with the right platform to leverage its political, economic and cultural connectionsto play a leading role further in Eurasia.

Additional Information

India’s Relations with Central Asia

• Historic Ties:Central Asia is undoubtedly a zone of India’s civilisational influence; the Ferghana Valley was India’s crossing-point of the Great Silk Road.
  • Buddhism also found inroads in several Central Asian citiesin the form of Stupas and Monasteries.
  • Men of prominencesuch as Amir Khusrau, Dehlawi, Al-Biruni having Central Asian roots came and made their name in India.
• Diplomatic Ties:India considers the Central Asian countries as the “heart of Asia” and they are also members of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO).
  • Central Asian countries are“aware” of Pakistan’s support to cross-border terrorism and its links to various terror groups.
• Like-Mindedness in Combatting Terrorism:India and the Central Asian nations have similarities in approach in countering terrorism and the threat of radicalisation.
  • The latest meeting called for the early adoption of the UN Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism,which India had first proposed in 1996, but has been held up for decades, primarily over differences on the definition of terrorism.
• India’s Role in Afghanistan Situation:India and the Central Asian countries have shared concerns over terrorism emanating from Afghanistan and its implications for regional security. India has been a strong proponent for re-establishing peace in Afghanistan.
  • In November 2021, India had hosted aregional dialogue on the situation in Afghanistan, which was attended by NSAs of Russia, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan.
• Stand on Chabahar Port:India has registered significant progress recently through renovation of Chabahar port. It is also a member of the Ashgabat Agreement.
  • The port played an important role during the humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan by delivering humanitarian goods to the Afghan people by international organisations.
    • Prior to the fall of Kabul to the Taliban, India delivered 100,000 tonnes of wheat and medicines to Afghanistan via the port’s Shahid Beheshti terminal developed by India.

Challenges in Robust India-Central Asia Ties

• There areobstructions of physical connectivity due to Pakistan’s hostility and Afghan instability.
• Politically, Central Asian countries are highly fragileand prone to threats like terrorism & Islamic fundamentalism making the region a volatile and unstable market.
• Involvement of Chinain the region by the Belt and Road Initiative has significantly undermined India’s influence in the region.
• Porous border and unbridled corruptionalong with the proximity with regions of soaring opium production (Golden Crescent and Golden Triangle) makes the region a powerhouse for drug and money trafficking.

National Security Advisor in India

• The National Security Advisor (NSA) is theprimary advisor to the Prime Minister of India. He also presides over the National Security Council (NSC). The current NSA is Ajit Doval.
• The NSC of India is a three-tiered organisation thatoversees political, economic, energy and security issues of strategic concern.
  • It was formed in 1998, where all aspects of national security are deliberated upon.
  • NSC operates within the executive office of the PM,liaising between the government’s executive branch and the intelligence services.
  • The Ministers of Home Affairs, Defence, External Affairs and Finance are its members.