India-Central Asian Republics: Changing Dynamics

Close historical, cultural and spiritual connect has always been a strong bonding factor between India and Central Asia. Moreover, Indian Film and Television industry has remained instrumental in facilitating warm and closer people to people ties between India and the countries of the Central Asian region. Also, the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) has further helped in strengthening the linkages with Indian culture. India also holds a very positive image of a friendly and secular country in the region with no expansionist designs. All these components gel well with the notion of Soft Power at the international level. However, the real-politick does not work completely on these notions. Though Soft Power can provide a solid foundation for a strong relationship but for the pursuance of their foreign policy goals, nations have to make smart choices. Changing vicissitudes define India-Central Asia relations in the present context. Momentous changes in the Central Asian republics in recent times as well as rapidly shifting international environment and accompanying strategic imperatives provide a new opportunity to take the relationship between the two onto the next level and compose a new vision. In this context, the present study will attempt to examine and evaluate India's growing engagement with these republics in the recent times and explores new facets of India's foreign policy towards the region.