Articles

Tajikistan

Why are Central Asian Republics wooing Pakistan?

Dr Pravesh Kumar Gupta, Research Associate , VIF Article

The emerging regional security threats post-US withdrawal from Afghanistan has led to an active engagement between Pakistan and Central Asian republics (CARs). The US and NATO forces were scheduled to be withdrawn from Afghanistan by 11 September 202....

July 15, 2021 International Relations and Diplomacy , Central Asia , Pakistan , Article , Pakistan , China , Russia , Kyrgyzstan , INSTC , Chabahar Port , Iran , Kazakhstan , US Withdrawal , CPEC , Taliban , Turkey , Tajikistan , Turkmenistan , CSTO , Afghanistan. Uzbekistan , Trans-Afghan Railway , Transit Trade Agreement

Second China-Central Asia (C+C5) Foreign Ministers Meet: Major Takeaways

Dr Pravesh Kumar Gupta, Research Associate , VIF Article

Background

China’s relations with its Central Asian neighbours have been complicated. Since the disintegration of the Soviet Union, Central Asia has been crucial for Chinese foreign policy for two reasons. First, the security of its nor....

June 07, 2021 International Relations and Diplomacy , Central Asia , Article , China , Kyrgyzstan , SCO , INSTC , Chabahar Port , Kazakhstan , Eurasian Economic Union , Tajikistan , Turkmenistan , BRI , COVID-19 , China's Belligerence , C+C5 , Afghanistan. Uzbekistan

Trends in Central Asia in 2020

Dr Pravesh Kumar Gupta, Research Associate , VIF Article

Introduction

The past 2020 is marked by Central Asia’s struggle with the COVID-19 pandemic and the subsequent socio-economic impacts. The pandemic turned out to be a litmus test for the already troubled economies of Central Asia. The ye....

January 13, 2021 International Relations and Diplomacy , Central Asia , Article , SCO , INSTC , Chabahar Port , elections , political turmoil , Eurasian Economic Union , Tajikistan , Turkmenistan , Economic reforms in Uzbekistan , India- Central Asia Dialogue , COVID-19 , Remittances , power transition , India-Uzbek Virtual Summit , Labour Migrant , China's Belligerence , Foreign Trad

The Economic Impact of COVID-19 in Central Asia

Dr Pravesh Kumar Gupta, Research Associate , VIF Article

Introduction

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic is so profound that the world will never be the same again. Human communication, social norms and habits have transformed immensely due to this. More digitalisation and less physical intera....

December 11, 2020 International Relations and Diplomacy , Central Asia , Article , Kyrgyzstan , Kazakhstan , Uzbekistan , GDP growth , Tajikistan , Turkmenistan , Tourism , COVID-19 , World Bank , IMF , lockdown , Remittances , Foreign Trade , Aid , Budget , ADB

Russia-China Harmony: One Sided Compromise under Compulsion?

Brigadier V Mahalingam (Retd) Article

Introduction

“Russia may face wars on its borders in the near future over control of energy resources”, a Security Policy document released by Kremlin on May 13, 2009 stated. It went on to add “In a competition for resources, problems....

November 19, 2020 International Relations and Diplomacy , China , Russia , Article , SCO , Tajikistan , Vladivostok , EEU , Arctic , Power of Siberia , Pamir , Russia's Far East , Trans-Siberian , Northern Sea Route , Russian influence , Arctic Policy , Polar Silk Road , Khabarovsk , Primorye , Turkmenistan gas.

Second India-Central Asia Dialogue: Major Takeaways

Dr Pravesh Kumar Gupta, Research Associate , VIF Article

Introduction

Central Asia is considered India's extended neighbourhood. In the absence of direct land connectivity, India-Central Asia relations have been marginalized in the post-Soviet period. India and Central Asian Republics (CARs) sh....

November 05, 2020 International Relations and Diplomacy , Central Asia , Article , China , Kyrgyzstan , Kazakhstan , Afghanistan , Uzbekistan , USA , Tajikistan , Turkmenistan , Grants , Extended Neighborhood , Developmental partnerships , Line of Credit , C5+1

China's Debt Trap in Central Asia

Dr Pravesh Kumar Gupta, Research Associate , VIF Article

Background

Chinese interest in Central Asia is multifold. Firstly to secure its northwestern region of Xinjiang, which shares a direct border with three Central Asian countries; Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan. Xinjiang is home to....

October 01, 2020 International Relations and Diplomacy , Central Asia , Article , China , Kyrgyzstan , Kazakhstan , Corruption , Tajikistan , BRI , Debt Trap , Loans , AIIB , Predatory lending , Anti-Chinese sentiments , Credits , Territorial claims

Tajikistan: Another Victim of Chinese Belligerence in Central Asia

Dr Pravesh Kumar Gupta, Research Associate , VIF Article

Introduction

Since the outbreak of the Coronavirus pandemic, China has shown increasing irredentist tendencies. From the South China Sea to its South and Central Asian neighbours, Chinese territorial encroachment has created fissures in b....

August 12, 2020 International Relations and Diplomacy , Central Asia , Article , China , Russia , Central Asia , Kazakhstan , military base , Tajikistan , Kyrgyz Republic , Debt Trap , Pamir , Land grab , irredentism

Chinese Activity in Central Asia; beyond Trade, Transport and Economy

Dr Pravesh Kumar Gupta, Research Associate , VIF Article

Background

China has invested in energy, infrastructure, transportation, railways and roads, communications etc. in Central Asia. Recently, Chinese Huawei has signed around one billion deal with Uzbekistan for digitalization of the countr....

June 30, 2020 International Relations and Diplomacy , Central Asia , Article , China , SCO , Kazakhstan , Uzbekistan , military base , Security , Tajikistan , BRI , COVID-19 , Kyrgyz Republic , Gas pipeline , Badakhshan , Loans , Grants , Debt repayment , Military Exercises

COVID-19 in Tajikistan: From Denial to Full-scale Crisis

Dr Pravesh Kumar Gupta, Research Associate , VIF Article

Despite being surrounded by the countries with positive cases of coronavirus, the Tajik Government had consistently denied the existence of the virus until April 30 when 15 cases were reported. This announcement was made when the World Health Organiz....

June 15, 2020 International Relations and Diplomacy , Central Asia , Article , India , China , Kyrgyzstan , Kazakhstan , Uzbekistan , poverty , Unemployment , Tajikistan , Coronavirus , COVID-19 , World Bank , Pandemic , IMF , Remittances , Pneumonia , Medical Diplomacy , Vande Bharat