New Delhi: The Fourth India-Central Asia Dialogue, held in New Delhi, concluded on June 6, 2025, marking a significant milestone in India’s strategic engagement with the five Central Asian Republics (CARs): Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. Hosted by External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar, the dialogue brought together foreign ministers from these nations to discuss deepening ties in trade, connectivity, counter-terrorism, and sustainable development.

Overview of the Fourth India-Central Asia Dialogue

The India-Central Asia Dialogue is an annual multilateral meeting of foreign ministers from India and the five CARs, serving as the primary institutional framework for steering their strategic partnership. Launched in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, in 2019, the dialogue has evolved into a critical platform for fostering cooperation. The second meeting was held virtually in 2020 due to the global pandemic, while the third took place in New Delhi in 2021. The fourth edition, after a gap of over three-and-a-half years, underscored India’s commitment to strengthening its extended neighborhood policy.

EAM Jaishankar warmly welcomed Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Kazakhstan Murat Nurtleu, Foreign Minister Sirojiddin Muhriddin of Tajikistan, Deputy Chairman of Cabinet of Ministers and Foreign Minister Rashid Meredov of Turkmenistan, Foreign Minister Zheenbek Kulubaev of Kyrgyzstan, and Foreign Minister Bakhtiyor Saidov of Uzbekistan. The ministers also called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi before concluding their visit, highlighting the high-level political commitment to this partnership.

Key Highlights and Outcomes

The joint statement from the Fourth Dialogue outlined several critical outcomes, reflecting the shared priorities of India and the CARs.

Counter-Terrorism and Security Cooperation

The ministers issued a strong condemnation of the Pahalgam terror attack in April 2025, reaffirming their commitment to combating terrorism. They reiterated support for India’s proposed Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism (CCIT), first introduced at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in 1996. The CCIT aims to criminalize all forms of international terrorism and deny terrorists access to funds, arms, and safe havens, though it awaits UNGA adoption.

To enhance security coordination, the ministers agreed to regular National Security Advisor (NSA)-level meetings, with the next session scheduled in Kyrgyzstan. This institutionalization of security dialogues underscores the shared goal of countering extremism, drug trafficking, and regional instability, particularly in light of threats emanating from Afghanistan.

Trade and Economic Cooperation

The dialogue emphasized boosting trade in pharmaceuticals, IT, agriculture, energy, and textiles. To facilitate this, the ministers proposed trading in national currencies and adopting digital payment systems to reduce dependency on global financial networks. A Joint Working Group (JWG) on banking and financial ties was proposed to streamline trade finance and remittances, addressing the current lack of direct banking infrastructure.

The India-Central Asia Business Council, which met on June 5, 2025, played a pivotal role in shaping these discussions. EAM Jaishankar urged the council to develop a roadmap for deepening economic ties, focusing on diversifying trade baskets, ensuring sustainability, and enhancing predictability in economic interactions. Key sectors identified for collaboration included digital economy, financial services, healthcare, pharmaceuticals, and streamlined transit.

Connectivity and Infrastructure Development

Connectivity emerged as a cornerstone of the dialogue, with significant focus on the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC) and Chabahar Port. The INSTC, initiated in 2000 by India, Russia, and Iran, is a multi-modal transportation route linking Mumbai to St. Petersburg via Iran and the Caspian Sea. India backed Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan’s membership in the INSTC, while Kazakhstan is developing its eastern branch to enhance trade flows. The ministers also discussed integrating the Shahid Beheshti Terminal at Chabahar Port for Central Asian trade, bypassing Pakistan’s restrictions on overland access.

The promotion of the TIR Carnet system was highlighted to ease cargo movement, alongside the Ashgabat Agreement, which includes India and all five CARs to foster multi-modal transport networks. The first India-Central Asia JWG on Chabahar, held in Mumbai in April 2023, laid the groundwork for these initiatives.

Digital and Energy Partnerships

India proposed exporting its Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI), including India Stack tools like Aadhaar and UPI, to support Central Asia’s digital transformation. The inaugural India-Central Asia Digital Forum, set to be hosted in Uzbekistan, will drive this collaboration. In the energy sector, discussions centered on the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) pipeline, which aims to transport natural gas from Turkmenistan’s Galkynysh field to Fazilka, India. Despite delays due to Afghan instability, the project remains critical for India’s energy security, given its projected 9% share of global energy consumption by 2035.

The ministers also explored joint exploration of rare earths and critical minerals, with the second India-Central Asia Rare Earth Forum planned to build on the inaugural meeting held in New Delhi in September 2024.

Climate and Sustainability

The dialogue celebrated the designation of 2025 as the “International Year of Peace and Trust” per UNGA resolution and commended Tajikistan’s First High-Level International Conference on Glaciers’ Preservation, aligning with the International Year of Glaciers’ Preservation. Kazakhstan’s UN SDG Hub in Almaty received support, reflecting a shared commitment to sustainable development. India invited the CARs to join the International Solar Alliance (ISA), Global Biofuels Alliance (GBA), Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI), and International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA), reinforcing multilateral environmental cooperation.

Multilateral Engagement

Central Asian nations endorsed India’s bid for a permanent UN Security Council seat, signaling strong diplomatic support. The ministers praised India’s leadership in the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), particularly its hosting of the 2023 Summit. The CARs’ engagement with India-led platforms like DAKSHIN for South-South cooperation further strengthens global south coordination.

Cultural and Youth Ties

Cultural diplomacy was a key focus, with Tajikistan set to host the second India-Central Asia Culture Ministers’ meeting. Initiatives like student exchanges, Indian Cultural Centres, and the promotion of yoga, Bollywood, and traditional medicine aim to deepen people-to-people ties. The shared Sufi, Buddhist, and Mughal heritage provides a strong foundation for these efforts.

Afghanistan and Regional Stability

The ministers expressed support for a peaceful, terrorism-free Afghanistan, commending Uzbekistan’s Termez hub for UNHCR aid delivery. The dialogue emphasized the need to monitor Afghan spillover threats, particularly terrorism and drug trafficking, through SCO and bilateral frameworks.

Future Steps

The dialogue paved the way for the second India-Central Asia Summit in 2025, a leader-level meeting involving PM Modi and the presidents of the CARs. The next dialogue is scheduled for 2026, ensuring continuity in this strategic partnership.

India-Central Asia Relations: A Historical and Strategic Context

India’s ties with Central Asia date back to the third century BCE, connected through the Silk Road. Today, the CARs constitute India’s extended neighborhood, with shared interests in connectivity, energy, security, and trade. Central Asia’s geostrategic location at the heart of Eurasia makes it a vital land bridge between Europe and Asia, critical for India’s regional influence amid China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and Russia’s presence.

Key Bilateral Highlights

• India-Kazakhstan: A strategic partnership since 2009, with Kazakhstan supplying uranium to India’s nuclear plants via Kazatomprom-NPCIL agreements. The annual KAZIND military exercise and Kazakhstan’s role in the INSTC’s eastern branch highlight robust ties. Bilateral trade in 2023-24 reached USD 1.1 billion.
• India-Uzbekistan: A strategic partnership since 2011, marked by the DUSTLIK exercise and Indian universities like Amity and Sharda in Uzbekistan. Bilateral trade stood at USD 470 million in 2023-24, with a push for INSTC membership.
• India-Turkmenistan: Focused on the TAPI pipeline, Turkmenistan joined the INSTC in 2023. Bilateral trade was USD 132 million in 2023-24, with India exploring maritime connectivity via Chabahar.
• India-Tajikistan: Tajikistan’s proximity to Afghanistan enhances its geostrategic value. India operates the India-Tajik Friendship Hospital and supports hydropower projects. Bilateral trade is modest at USD 65 million.
• India-Kyrgyzstan: The launchpad of India’s Connect Central Asia Policy (2012), Kyrgyzstan hosts Indian medical students and will hold the next NSA consultation. Bilateral trade was USD 47 million in 2023-24.

Challenges in India-Central Asia Relations

Despite progress, several challenges persist:

• Lack of Direct Connectivity: No land border exists, and Pakistan blocks overland access. INSTC and Chabahar are slow to operationalize, with limited air connectivity.
• Low Trade Volumes: Combined trade with CARs is under USD 2 billion, dwarfed by China’s USD 50 billion. High logistical costs and tariff barriers hinder growth.
• China’s Dominance: China’s BRI projects, like CPEC, outpace India’s initiatives in scale and financing.
• Security Instability: Afghan instability stalls projects like TAPI and fuels terrorism and drug trafficking.
• Bureaucratic Hurdles: Opaque regulations in CARs challenge Indian businesses, compounded by language and legal barriers.
• Limited People-to-People Contact: Cultural diplomacy and tourism remain underutilized.
• Financial Disconnect: No direct banking system exists, complicating trade finance.

Way Forward

To overcome these challenges, India must:

• Fast-track INSTC and Chabahar operationalization.
• Secure long-term energy and mineral agreements, including TAPI and uranium supplies.
• Establish the JWG on financial connectivity to promote rupee trade and digital payments.
• Export India Stack for digital transformation in CARs.
• Expand ITEC scholarships and Indian university campuses.
• Deepen NSA-level security dialogues and counter-terrorism training.
• Strengthen cultural diplomacy through regular ministerial meets and youth exchanges.

Conclusion

The Fourth India-Central Asia Dialogue reaffirmed India’s strategic commitment to deepening ties with Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. By prioritizing trade, connectivity, security, and sustainability, India aims to counter regional challenges and elevate its influence in Central Asia. With the second summit slated for 2025, this partnership is poised for further growth, leveraging millennia-old ties to shape a dynamic future.

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