India’s return to its Central Asian neighbourhood
A four-day, two-nation visit to Uzbekistan and the Kyrgyz Republic was undertaken to strengthen India's strategic, economic, and diplomatic presence in Central Asia
The Uzbekistan leg involved a State Visit to Tashkent for delegation-level talks aimed at deepening the bilateral strategic partnership
The Kyrgyz Republic leg involved participation in the 26th Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit at Bishkek, where India's priorities of security, connectivity, and opportunity were highlighted
The visit also included attendance at the opening ceremony of the World Nomad Games, a cultural event showcasing Central Asian heritage
The visit is assessed as an opportunity to deepen connectivity, trade, and energy ties with the five Central Asian republics
India-Central Asia Summit Format and the "C5" Framework
India engages the five Central Asian republics — Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan — collectively through the India-Central Asia Summit format, distinct from India's bilateral relations with each republic and from multilateral platforms like the SCO.
Key Details
- The first India-Central Asia Summit was held virtually in January 2022, marking 30 years of diplomatic relations between India and the Central Asian republics (established in 1992 after the Soviet Union's dissolution)
- Key outcomes of the 2022 summit included a Joint Working Group on Afghanistan, a Joint Working Group on Chabahar Port, and an India-Central Asia Investment Forum
- Chabahar Port (Iran) was proposed for inclusion in the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC), with Turkmenistan separately offering to include Turkmenbashi port
- Institutional architecture also includes an India-Central Asia Dialogue at the Foreign Ministers' level (first held 2019)
The 2026 visit builds on this dedicated summit architecture, reinforcing India's re-engagement with the region after a period of reduced high-level contact.
Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO)
The SCO is a Eurasian political, economic, and security multilateral grouping through which India engages China, Russia, and Central Asian states simultaneously, distinct from its bilateral tracks with each.
Key Details
- Founded 15 June 2001 in Shanghai by China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan (evolved from the "Shanghai Five," formed 1996)
- India and Pakistan became full members in 2017 (Astana Summit), after signing membership obligations in 2016; Iran joined in 2023 and Belarus in 2024, taking total membership to ten
- India hosted the SCO Summit in 2023 (virtual format) and held the SCO Presidency that year
- The 2026 Summit (26th round) was hosted in Bishkek, Kyrgyz Republic
The Bishkek SCO Summit provided the multilateral platform for the visit, alongside the bilateral Uzbekistan leg, illustrating India's dual-track engagement (bilateral + multilateral) with the region.
International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC) and Central Asian Connectivity
The INSTC is a multi-modal transport corridor linking India to Central Asia, Russia, and Europe via Iran, bypassing Pakistan — central to India's Central Asia connectivity strategy given the region's landlocked geography.
Key Details
- INSTC route: from Mumbai by sea to Bandar Abbas (Iran), then overland/rail through Iran to the Caspian Sea, onward to Russia and Central Asia/Europe
- Agreement signed in 2000 by India, Iran, and Russia; India ratified in 2002
- Chabahar Port (Iran), developed with Indian investment, is the key node connecting INSTC to Afghanistan and Central Asia via the Chabahar-Zaranj-Delaram route, offering an alternative to the Pakistan-controlled Wagah-Attari route
- All five Central Asian republics are landlocked, making transit corridors through Iran (INSTC/Chabahar) or Russia central to their trade access to India
Central Asia's landlocked geography is the structural reason connectivity (ports, corridors, transit agreements) features prominently whenever India engages the region, including in the 2026 visit's stated goals of "expanding economic ties."
- Central Asian republics: Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan — all emerged from the USSR's dissolution in 1991; India established diplomatic ties with them in 1992
- First India-Central Asia Summit: January 2022 (virtual)
- SCO founded: 2001; India and Pakistan admitted as full members: 2017 (Astana Summit)
- 26th SCO Summit: Bishkek, Kyrgyz Republic, 2026
- INSTC agreement: signed 2000 (India, Iran, Russia); India ratified 2002
- World Nomad Games: international multi-sport event showcasing traditional Central Asian/nomadic sports and culture