India’s Strategic Interest with Central Asia in the Post-Soviet Era: Prospects for the Future

Authors

  • Dr. Amresh Kumar Gauda Lovely Professional University image/svg+xml Author
  • Dr. Prasanta Kumar Sahu Central University of Jammu image/svg+xml Author
  • Rai Mohan Majhi Kesinga Mahavidyalaya Author

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.66871/trf-j.v1i3.017

Keywords:

geopolitics, energy, security, central Asia, post-cold-war, infrastructure.

Abstract

In June 2012, during the inaugural meeting of India and Central Asia, Dialogue in Bishkek, India’s Minister of State for External Affairs E. Ahmed delivered a keynote by addressing the Connect Central Asia Policy (CCAP). This initiative was designed to serve as a key mechanism for strengthening India’s relations with Central Asia. The Indian government and businesses have already started strengthening ties with their Central Asian counterparts to enhance cooperation within this framework. This paper analyzes the significance of Central Asia in today’s global context. It begins by reviewing India’s relations with the region prior to the 2000s. Followed by an examination of India’s primary interests in Central Asia energy and security since the year 2000 particularly in relation with other regional powers. The final section focuses on India’s “Connect Central Asia Policy of 2012,” exploring the key issues that necessitated its formulation and assessing the policy’s potential outcomes.

Author Biographies

  • Dr. Amresh Kumar Gauda, Lovely Professional University

    Assistant Professor in the Department of Political Science, School of Social Sciences at the Lovely Professional University, India

  • Dr. Prasanta Kumar Sahu, Central University of Jammu

    Assistant Professor in the Department of National Security Studies, School of National Security Studies at the Central University of Jammu, India

  • Rai Mohan Majhi, Kesinga Mahavidyalaya
    Lecturer in the Political Science , Kesinga Mahavidyalaya, Kesinga, Kalahandi, Odisha

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Published

2026-07-20

How to Cite

Gauda, A. K., Sahu, P. K., & Majhi, R. M. (2026). India’s Strategic Interest with Central Asia in the Post-Soviet Era: Prospects for the Future. The Research Frontline - Journal, 1(3), 259-281. https://doi.org/10.66871/trf-j.v1i3.017

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