Articles

Uzbekistan held a nationwide referendum on constitutional reforms on April 30, 2023. A delegation from Vivekananda international Foundation (VIF) which included Dr Arvind Gupta, Director, VIF and Dr Pravesh Kumar Gupta, Associate Fellow (Central Asia....

May 15, 2023 Conference , International Relations and Diplomacy , Central Asia , agriculture , Climate Change , Uzbekistan , Food Security

Takeaways from the First meeting of the India-Central Asia JWG on Chabahar Port

Dr Pravesh Kumar Gupta, Associate Fellow, VIF Article

Background

The India-Central Asia Joint Working Group (JWG) on Chabahar Port had its first meeting in Mumbai on April 12–13, 2023. The Deputy Ministers and Senior Officials of the Republics of Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Turkme....

April 20, 2023 International Relations and Diplomacy , Central Asia , Article , SCO , Chabahar Port , Central Asia , Iran , Afghanistan , Humanitarian Assistance , Russia-Ukraine Crisis , Shahid Behesti terminal , Trans Afghan railway

How Useful was Secretary Blinken’s Visit to Central Asia?

Dr Pravesh Kumar Gupta, Associate Fellow, VIF Article

Background

A year has passed since the Ukrainian conflict erupted in February last year. This crisis has had a devastating impact not just on the countries involved but also on those not part of this conflict. Supply chain disruptions, a ....

March 07, 2023 International Relations and Diplomacy , Central Asia , Article , China , Russia , SCO , Central Asia , reforms , CSTO , C5+1 , Ukraine Crisis , Sanctions. USA

Is Taming the Dragon Possible in Central Asia?

Dr Pravesh Kumar Gupta, Associate Fellow, VIF Commentary

Background

Due to its proximity to China’s western region and abundant natural resources, the Central Asian region is crucial from a geopolitical perspective. With the demise of the Soviet Union, China established a significant political ....

February 28, 2023 International Relations and Diplomacy , Central Asia , Commentary , Russia , SCO , Protests , Kazakhstan , Corruption , BRI , illegal immigrants , Debt Trap , Leasing Land , Ukraine Conflict , Anti-China Protests , Cultural Invasion

Central Asia: A Look Back at 2022 and Projections for 2023

Dr Pravesh Kumar Gupta, Associate Fellow, VIF Article

Background

The year 2022 has been challenging for the Central Asian region. In addition to the widespread anti-government protests resulting from the tumultuous internal socio-economic and political environment, the external impact of the....

January 04, 2023 International Relations and Diplomacy , Central Asia , Article , China , Russia , SCO , Protests , Central Asia , elections , Turkey , EU , reforms , Railways , Connectivity , CSTO , Ukraine Crisis , Karakalpakstan , Consultative meetings

Revitalization of INSTC and Prospects of the Greater Eurasian Connectivity

The geostrategic significance of Central Asia is very much important from India’s foreign policy and domestic policy points of view. Central Asia shares a border with China in the East, Caspian in the West, Russia in the North, and Iran and Afghani....

December 30, 2022 International Relations and Diplomacy , Central Asia , China , Russia , INSTC , Chabahar Port , Central Asia , Iran , North-South Transport Corridor

India’s SCO Presidency and its implications for India-Central Asia connectivity

Amb D P Srivastava, Distinguished Fellow, VIF

India became a permanent member of SCO in 2017. Since joining, New Delhi has made a substantial contribution to this organisation by raising certain critical concerns relating to connectivity, transportation, regional security, and economic growth ....

December 22, 2022 International Relations and Diplomacy , Central Asia , INSTC , Iran , Kazakhstan , Uzbekistan , Chabahar , Tajikistan , Turkmenistan , Podcast , SCO summit

The significance of the First Meeting of India-Central Asia NSAs

Dr Pravesh Kumar Gupta, Associate Fellow, VIF Commentary

Introduction

On December 6, 2022, the National Security Advisors/Secretaries (NSAs) of India and Central Asian countries met for the first time in Delhi. The meeting was hosted by India's National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and attended ....

December 15, 2022 International Relations and Diplomacy , Central Asia , Commentary , INSTC , Afghanistan , Radicalism , Chabahar , Terror Financing , Counter terrorism , Connectivity

Why is Early Presidential Elections in Kazakhstan Significant?

Dr Pravesh Kumar Gupta, Associate Fellow, VIF Commentary

Background

The incumbent President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev won by a landslide in an early presidential election on November 20, 2022. He was reelected because the Kazakh people trusted him and supported a fair g....

December 01, 2022 International Relations and Diplomacy , Central Asia , Commentary , Kazakhstan , Tokayev , Snap Elections , January Protests , Constitutional reforms , Observers , Exit polls , political opposition