Need for Reinforced India- Central Asia Defence Synergy

Background

India’s relationship with Central Asia is not new. It is rooted in centuries of historical interaction, cultural exchanges, trade linkages and shared strategic interests. The five Central Asian countries i.e. Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan and Tajikistan occupy a vital position in the Eurasian region and hold growing strategic importance in India’s foreign policy framework. Over the years, India has adopted a soft power based approach towards this region and steadily expanded its engagement in areas such as energy, trade, connectivity, defence training, culture, medical and of course, regional security.

A few years ago, India’s “Connect Central Asia Policy” received renewed attention and momentum but the focus as of now is not so much as it used to be and as it ought to be. However, in last about a decade or so, India had increased its diplomatic outreach, expanded defence cooperation and strengthened military-to-military engagement with the region.

The first India-Central Asia Summit held in 2022 marked an important step towards institutionalising cooperation at the highest political level. India’s active role in forums such as the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) and the India-Central Asia Dialogue further reinforced its strategic commitment towards the region.

The changing geopolitical environment has also amplified Central Asia’s significance for India. The return of the Taliban in Afghanistan in 2021 and resultant instability in the region has raised concerns related to terrorism, extremism and regional security. At the same time, increasing competition among major powers such as Russia, China, Türkiye, the United States and the European Union has transformed the Central Asian region into an important geopolitical arena. In this evolving environment, India needs to look at Central Asia not only as a strategic partner but also as a crucial bridge connecting South Asia with Eurasia.

India needs to renew its focus upon defence collaboration with the Central Asian republics also because the region sits at the strategic crossroads of Eurasia directly impacting India’s long-term security interests. A deeper partnership would strengthen India’s cooperation in counterterrorism through better intelligence sharing, energy security and regional connectivity while at the sametime also balancing the growing instability emerging from Afghanistan and Pakistan.

Unlike distantly located Western powers, Central Asian nations share immediate concerns regarding extremism, narcotics trafficking and regional stability, making the India-Central Asia cooperation more practical and mutually beneficial. It gets accentuated due to the fact that India also enjoys historical civilisational links and a positive political image in the region, which can be leveraged for defence diplomacy, military training and technology cooperation. At the same time, excessive dependence on powers such as the USA, China or the UK may eventually expose India to strategic pressures, perhaps shifting geopolitical priorities and transactional policies.

Diversifying defence engagement towards Central Asia is therefore expected to potentially enhance India’s strategic autonomy, reduce overreliance on major powers and reinforce its role as an independent Eurasian stakeholder. As India is fast moving on the path of attaining the distinction of being a hub for defence manufacturing and may soon be a defence hardware exporter, the cooperation in the defence sector assumes greater significance, notwithstanding the strides that Russia-a parent figure to the Central Asian Countries, has already made.

Current Status of Indo-Central Asia Defence Cooperation

Bilateral and Multilateral Engagements. India has established defence cooperation agreements with all Central Asian Republics. These partnerships till now have focussed mainly upon military training, counterterrorism cooperation, defence exchanges and capacity build-up. Multilateral platforms such as the SCO provide India with an important avenue to engage with Central Asian countries on regional security issues, including terrorism, extremism and prevention of narcotics trafficking.

In recent decade, India had intensified defence consultations with countries like Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan. Joint working groups on security cooperation have also become more active. India’s participation in SCO defence ministers’ meetings and anti-terror exercises has strengthened its defence diplomacy and enhanced its visibility in the region.

Training and Capacity Building. Training and professional military education have emerged as key pillars of India’s engagement with Central Asia. Under the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) programme, officers from Central Asian countries were found undergoing training in premier Indian military institutions such as the National Defence Academy (NDA), Indian Military Academy (IMA) and Defence Services Staff College (DSSC), Wellington. The number however, have decreased in the recent past.

India has also expanded specialised training programmes in areas like counter-insurgency, cyber security, high-altitude warfare and peacekeeping operations. Such initiatives have improved interoperability and fostered stronger professional relationships between Indian and Central Asian armed forces. The Kyrgyz-Indian Mountain Biomedical Research Centre has been an important example of scientific and strategic cooperation, especially in the field of high-altitude research.

Counterterrorism and Security Cooperation. It has been experienced that India and Central Asian countries face broadly similar security challenges arising from terrorism, extremism and radicalisation, mainly from instability in Afghanistan during 2021-22 and organised terror orchestrated by Pakistan. As a result, counterterrorism cooperation became an important aspect of the relationship.

Joint military exercises such as “Khanjar” between India and Kyrgyzstan demonstrated the growing security partnership. Cooperation through mechanisms like the Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS) under the broad umbrella of SCO also enhanced the intelligence sharing and regional coordination in the security sphere. Earlier India’s strategic presence as a trainer at the Ayni and Farkhor Air Bases in Tajikistan further strengthened the strategic depth of defence cooperation between the two sides. This has now witnessed a downtrend with India having vacated these bases few years ago.

The rise of extremist organisations such as ISIS-Khorasan also constrains India and Central Asian countries to move towards closer intelligence-led cooperation, surveillance coordination and anti-radicalisation efforts.

Military Equipment and Defence Technology. India’s growing defence manufacturing capabilities under the “Make in India” and “Aatmanirbhar Bharat” initiatives have opened new opportunities for defence exports to Central Asia. This has been multiplied by India becoming a manufacture of the 4.5 Gen fighter aircraft such as LCA Tejas, barring of course few hiccups that India is sincerely trying to resolve regarding manufacture of a suitable aeroengine through foreign collaboration. Also the discussions in various forums have included the export of small arms, surveillance systems, drones, radar equipment and light transport aircraft.

Besides the Tejas Light Combat Aircraft India is also working hard to promote indigenous defence platforms such as, Dhruv helicopters and Akash air defence systems as cost-effective and reliable alternatives for friendly countries. India’s defence exports, indicate the country’s gradual emergence as a significant defence manufacturing hub.

Peacekeeping and Humanitarian Assistance. India’s past experience in United Nations peace-keeping operations and an impeccable professionalism in providing global humanitarian assistance has added another dimension to its defence diplomacy. Taking that into account, India needs to more actively partner with near neighbourhood e.g. Central Asian countries in peacekeeping cooperation and disaster response initiatives.

This assumes greater significance as the operations such as “Operation Dost” showcased India’s rapid Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) capabilities and strengthened its image as a dependable and responsive partner in times of crisis.

Challenges in Defence Cooperation

However, despite the growing partnerships, some of the challenges that continue to affect India’s defence engagement with Central Asia are:

Geopolitical Power Play. Central Asia remains an arena of intense geopolitical rivalries. Major powers, especially Russia and China continue to enjoy significant influence in the region, while the United States, Türkiye and the European Union are expanding their strategic presence alongside. China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) has further emboldened Beijing’s economic footprint in Central Asia, making it complicated for India to compete at the same scale.
Connectivity Constraints. One of the biggest limitations in India’s engagement with Central Asia is the geographical incongruity due to absence of direct connectivity. India does not share a border with the region, with instability in Afghanistan further complicating India’s overland access.
Projects such as the Chabahar Port and the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC) were extremely ambitious and critical for India’s long-term strategic access to Central Asia. However, Despite India having invested huge sums into the developmental projects in the Chabahar region, the logistical hurdles, geopolitical uncertainties and sanctions-related complications, and recently a seeming loss of focus, further delay the realisation of its full potential.
Limited Defence Industry Collaboration. Although India’s defence industry has grown significantly in the recent years, its defence exports to Central Asia are still modest compared to Russia and China. To establish a stronger presence in the region, India will need sustained investments, renewed marketing efforts, financing support, technology partnerships and definitely, a reliable after-sales service mechanism.
Language and Cultural Barriers. Language and cultural differences also pose challenges in expanding military cooperation with the region. Compared to the ambitious outreach programmes of China and Türkiye, India’s cultural and institutional presence in Central Asia remains inadequate. Enhancing people-to-people exchanges and cultural engagement will therefore be important imperatives for strengthening the long-term strategic ties.

The Way Forward

India may consider adopting a multi-dimensional approach to deepen and accelerate the defence cooperation with Central Asian countries, particularly by leveraging the strengths of the Indian Armed Forces and the Indian Air Force (IAF), through some of the following activities undertaken in the mission mode: –

Strengthening Strategic Logistics and Air Connectivity. India can further enhance its strategic presence be again undertaking the training role earlier being carried out at the Air Bases in Tajikistan. Expanding logistics support, maintenance facilities and humanitarian operations in the region could perhaps significantly improve India’s operational reach and strategic influence benefitting not only Indian side but also the central Asian nations. As a result of improved logistics and improved air connectivity the dedicated defence logistics corridors can be created which can facilitate faster movement of personnel and military equipment for peaceful purposes.
Expanding Joint Military Exercises. An enhanced scale of bilateral and multilateral military exercises can significantly enhance the interoperability and operational coordination. Joint training and exercises involving air mobility of special forces amidst exercises followed even by counterterrorism operations- as and when required-would help strengthen regional security cooperation and showcase India’s military capabilities.
Enhancing Training and Technology Sharing. Though India had been learning from Russia since long time. But by virtue of gradually emerging a developed and formidable armed forces, India is now in a position to offer advanced fighter pilot training and technical courses in avionics, cyber warfare, aircraft maintenance and network-centric warfare. Increased officer exchange programmes and specialised training initiatives are expected to further deepen the institutional ties and mutual professional appreciation.
India’s expertise in emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence-enabled warfare systems and integrated theatre operations can also become an important area of future cooperation.
Promoting Defence Exports and Industrial Cooperation. India by virtue of gradually and steadily emerging a defence manufacturer and soon to be a defence exporter, may actively promote the sales or leasing of indigenously manufactured defence platforms such as Tejas aircraft, Dhruv helicopters, UAVs and surveillance systems to Central Asian countries. Joint ventures and collaborative defence production projects would greatly help reducing the region’s dependence on traditional suppliers while simultaneously expanding India’s defence footprint.
Leveraging Multilateral Platforms. India can use forums like the SCO to propose new defence initiatives related to regional air defence, intelligence sharing and counterterrorism coordination. Hosting an enhanced number of regional security dialogues involving military leadership from India and Central Asia could further strengthen strategic engagement.
Strengthening Counterterrorism Cooperation. Closer cooperation in intelligence sharing, drone surveillance, border monitoring and anti-radicalisation efforts will certainly remain essential in addressing evolving security threats from Afghanistan and the wider region, even in future.
Expanding Space and Cyber Cooperation. India’s advancements in space technology and cyber defence can become valuable tools of strategic engagement between the two sides. The satellite-based surveillance systems, navigation support and cyber security cooperation can immensely help the Central Asian nations in strengthening the border management, making disaster response more effective and improving the critical infrastructure protection.

Conclusion

India’s partnership with Central Asia has been steadily evolving into a relationship of growing strategic importance. Shared security concerns, historical linkages and converging geopolitical interests provided a strong foundation for deeper cooperation.

However, the focus appears to slowly shifted from Central Asia in the recent past. The region is not getting the same attention by the framers of India’s foreign policy as was there earlier. We need to enhance and refocus our attention on this significant area, especially after having gone through the crisis situation emerging in the West Asian region.

The Indian Air Force and India’s broader defence establishment are well equipped to play a major role in strengthening this partnership through enhanced role through training, joint exercises, technology sharing, defence exports and humanitarian cooperation. At the same time, India will also need a sustained diplomatic engagement, better connectivity infrastructure and a balanced geopolitical thought process to overcome the existing challenges.

Looking ahead, India’s engagement with Central Asia needs to deepen further as New Delhi now needs to reinforce its Eurasian outreach, diversify strategic partnerships and enhance the regional stability. It becomes important especially because the growing convergence of interests between India and the Central Asian Republics offers a valuable opportunity to build long-term strategic partnerships based on mutual trust, security cooperation, economic connectivity and shared regional prosperity.

(Author is a distinguished Fellow at Visvaniti Foundation)