1.2. India and Central Asia
• Energy-rich Central Asia, with which India shares historical linkages, holds great strategic importance.
• The flow of Buddhism from India to Central Asia and Sufi ideas from Central Asia to India are examples of age old relations. These deep rooted linkages are evident even today in similarities in food, language, dress and culture.
• India’s disconnect with Central Asia came with Partition and the loss of directo build closer political, security, economic and cultural relations.• Prime Minister Modi’s Visit to all the 5 Central Asian Republics in 2015 was a significant moment in these relations.♤ Tajikistan has set up a field hospital in Farkor at the border with Afghanistan to treat Northern Alliance fighters. India, it also has a “quietly functional” small base to aid the Afghan government, and helped service and repair Mi fighter planes.♤ India is not a part of the Lapis Lazuli corridor.♤ Issues of mutual concerns are :regional peace, connectivity and integration; reforms in the United Nations; and, combating terrorism.♤ Kazaksthan was one of the first countries with which India launched civil nuclear cooperation through a uranium purchase contract.1.2.4. India-Uzbekistan♤ Mirza Ghalib and Amir Khusro are notable Indians of Uzbek parentage.♤ Uzbekistan, the seventh biggest uranium exporter in the world, will be a key player in1.2.5. Ashgabat Agreement♤ It is a transit pact established in 2011 between Uzbekistan, Iran, Turkmenistan, and Oman. Kazhakstan joined subsequently and Pakistan joined in 2016. Indian joined the agreement in 2017.1.2.6. India-Kyrgyzstan
