Articles

On the 4th 5th and 6th January 2022, Kazakhstan was convulsed by the most violent of protests since 1989. While the situation has been controlled for now by swift, strong state action, the event is likely to have wide-ranging internal, regional and g....

January 15, 2022 International Relations and Diplomacy , Central Asia , Article , Russia , SCO , Protests , Kazakhstan , CSTO , ETIM , Tokayev , Nazarbayev

Central Asia: A Look Back At 2021 and Outlook For 2022

Dr Pravesh Kumar Gupta, Senior Research Associate , VIF Article

Introduction

The year 2021 has been challenging for Central Asia. The year marked the three decades of independence for the Central Asian countries since the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991. The socio-economic and health impacts of the....

January 06, 2022 International Relations and Diplomacy , Central Asia , Article , China , Russia , SCO , TAPI , Protests , Kazakhstan , Afghanistan , Uzbekistan , trade , Tajikistan , Turkmenistan , India- Central Asia Dialogue , Azerbaijan , Capacity Building , Connectivity , Border Dispute , TCGP

Third Edition of India-Central Asia Dialogue: Bolstering India’s Central Asia Policy

Dr Pravesh Kumar Gupta, Senior Research Associate , VIF Article

Introduction

Central Asia’s geostrategic importance stands increased with the recent developments in Afghanistan. Two major powers, i.e., Russia and China continue to maintain their influence in the region while the US and West still need....

December 30, 2021 International Relations and Diplomacy , Central Asia , Article , SCO , Kazakhstan , Afghanistan , Uzbekistan , trade , Tajikistan , Turkmenistan , Tourism , OIC , Capacity Building , Connectivity , India-Central Asia Dialogue , Pharmaceuticals

A Report on Visit to Uzbekistan as International Election Observer and Discussions with Uzbek Think Tanks

Uzbekistan held its Sixth Presidential Elections on October 24, 2021, where the author had participated as an International Observer from India. During the visit to Uzbekistan, one also had an opportunity to have a discussion with Uzbek Think Tanks, ....

December 08, 2021 International Relations and Diplomacy , Central Asia , Seminars , SCO , Afghanistan , Uzbekistan , India-Uzbekistan bilateral relations , Connectivity

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

Amb Yogendra Kumar Article

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, Senior 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

Sino-Tajik Relations: An Unequal Partnership

Dr Pravesh Kumar Gupta, Senior 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

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

Dr Pravesh Kumar Gupta, Senior 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

Central Asia: Three Decades of Developments

Amb D P Srivastava, Distinguished Fellow, VIF

Central Asia, located between the East and the West has always been been at the centre of power struggle between major powers such as Russia, China, US and West. After the collapse of the Soviet Union, the leaders of these independent republics, adop....

March 17, 2021 International Relations and Diplomacy , Central Asia , India , China , Russia , SCO , INSTC , Chabahar Port , Central Asia , Geopolitics , EAEU , CSTO , Podcast , three decades of collapse of Soviet Union