o joint commercial ventures,

o improving air connectivity to boost trade and tourism,

o joint scientific research and strategic partnerships in defense and security affairs.

1.3.1. Some Limitations

♤ In 2015 the five Central Asian republics account for trade of only about $1.6 billion with India, compared to about $50 billion with China that has made them a key to its Silk Road Economic Belt (SREB) initiative.

♤ Despite bonhomie and much celebration, India has lacked presence on the ground in terms of G2G, B2B and P2P linkages.

♤ Connectivity is the key weakness in India’s quest for increasing cooperation with Central

Asia.