India and Central Asian Republics: A Review of Economic and Strategic Partnership

ABSTRACT

With more than 8 billion metric tonnes of oil, gas, water, precious metals, and minerals and adjacent borders to Russia, China, Iran, and Afghanistan, as well as the quickest transit route from Asia to Europe, the Central Asian region has now come to be recognized as having geo-economic, geo-political, and geostrategic significance. It has become a focal point for intra- and transcontinental economic and trade links, with a wide market of millions of consumers. To confront emerging security and economic problems, the Central Asian Republics (CARs) establish bilateral strategic partnerships and cooperation arrangements at regional and international levels. It is significant because it has put India in comparison to China, another aspirant Asian superpower, which would intensify the struggle for resources and influence among established and growing powers. India has also been looking increasingly towards major interests, including development, infrastructure, energy security, combating terrorism, and trade and investment. By applying the Integrative Literature Review (ILR) method, the current paper looks into Indias economic and strategic partnership with Central Asia in light of this illustrated background, the new realities, and Indias future engagement.

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