Articles

Evolving Situation in Afghanistan: Challenges and Prospects for India-Tajikistan Cooperation

The Setting

The events in Afghanistan have come full circle since 18 October, 2001 when the US Special Forces were inserted from across the Central Asian borders. Whilst it might appear as history repeating itself, the circumstances have ....

October 13, 2021 International Relations and Diplomacy , Article , India , Russia , SCO , Iran , Afghanistan , Taliban , India-Uzbekistan , Tajikistan , CSTO

Decoding Tajikistan’s Critical Approach towards Taliban

Dr Pravesh Kumar Gupta, Research Associate , VIF Article

The quick rise of the Taliban after the US troops started to withdraw from Afghanistan has left the country’s neighbours in a difficult situation. Pakistan, a long-time ally of the Taliban, was pleased with the Taliban’s victory in Afghanistan. C....

September 23, 2021 International Relations and Diplomacy , Central Asia , Article , Pakistan , Russia , SCO , Afghanistan , Uzbekistan , Taliban , Tajikistan , CSTO , Military drill , IRPT , Panjshir

How is Central Asia Reacting to Afghanistan’s Fall?

Dr Pravesh Kumar Gupta, Research Associate , VIF Article

Introduction

The developments that Central Asian Republics (CARs) have been dreading in recent weeks have begun to unfold. On August 15, 2021, the Taliban took over Kabul, which ultimately led to the collapse of the Afghan government headed....

August 24, 2021 International Relations and Diplomacy , Neighbourhood Studies , Central Asia , Afghanistan , Article , India , Russia , Central Asia , Afghanistan , Uzbekistan , Taliban , Aircraft , Afghan peace process , Tajikistan , Turkmenistan , Evacuation , CSTO , National Resistance Movement of Afghanistan , Military drill

Sino-Tajik Relations: An Unequal Partnership

Dr Pravesh Kumar Gupta, Research Associate , VIF Article

The narrative about the ‘peaceful Rise of China’ is ironic. China has border disputes with all its neighbours. Some of these issues have been addressed, while some still exist. For example, its border dispute with India is a critical issue affect....

August 17, 2021 International Relations and Diplomacy , Central Asia , China , Article , India , SCO , Afghanistan , military base , Soviet Union , Tajikistan , Debt Trap , Xinjiang , Badakhshan , Uyghurs , Border Dispute , Chinese Belligerence , investment and trade , Pamir Region

Regional Equations amid US Withdrawal from Afghanistan

Col Deepak Kumar Article

The sudden withdrawal of US forces on the night of 1st July 2021 from Bagram created a piquant situation not only for Afghanistan security forces but also for the entire world. While a withdrawal was always in the offing, with a deadline being previo....

August 06, 2021 International Relations and Diplomacy , US , Afghanistan , Article , India , Pakistan , US , China , Afghanistan , Uzbekistan , Taliban , Tajikistan , ANDSF , Air Support

VIF Virtual talk on ‘India-Tajikistan Relations’ by Amb. Viraj Singh, Indian Ambassador to Tajikistan

India and Tajikistan are traditional partners. They share deep historical and cultural relations. Tajikistan was a part of the Kushana and Persian Empire, which had close cultural linkages with India. Subsequently, during the Islamic rule in India, t....

July 29, 2021 International Relations and Diplomacy , Central Asia , India-Tajikistan Relations , Tajikistan , inetraction , Dushanbe , Kushana

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