During the 1990s India did not show much of an interest in Central Asia and its response to join multilateral organisations in the region had been lukewarm. However, in the last decade or so India＇s approach towards ...During the 1990s India did not show much of an interest in Central Asia and its response to join multilateral organisations in the region had been lukewarm. However, in the last decade or so India＇s approach towards the region has changed substantially and some important landmarks signify this shift. As a scholar interested in the region, the author looks at the reasons for India＇s changing approach to the Central Asian region. With this objective, this paper seeks to highlight the significance of Central Asia for India and defines the strategic interests of India in this region. It also discusses the changing geopolitics of Central Asia from India＇s perspective, various phases in India＇s engagement with the region, including the key dynamics and changing approaches. A proactive Central Asia policy also represents another instance of India＇s shift from being an idealist to a realist power. This paper enables us to understand the extent to which India as an emerging power is prepared to pursue its strategic objectives in the region. At the same time, India＇s willingness in recent years to participate in a multilateral regional organization such as the Shanghai Cooperation Organization （SCO） demonstrates that it is willing to work in a cooperative framework with other key players in the region--Russia and China.展开更多
文摘During the 1990s India did not show much of an interest in Central Asia and its response to join multilateral organisations in the region had been lukewarm. However, in the last decade or so India＇s approach towards the region has changed substantially and some important landmarks signify this shift. As a scholar interested in the region, the author looks at the reasons for India＇s changing approach to the Central Asian region. With this objective, this paper seeks to highlight the significance of Central Asia for India and defines the strategic interests of India in this region. It also discusses the changing geopolitics of Central Asia from India＇s perspective, various phases in India＇s engagement with the region, including the key dynamics and changing approaches. A proactive Central Asia policy also represents another instance of India＇s shift from being an idealist to a realist power. This paper enables us to understand the extent to which India as an emerging power is prepared to pursue its strategic objectives in the region. At the same time, India＇s willingness in recent years to participate in a multilateral regional organization such as the Shanghai Cooperation Organization （SCO） demonstrates that it is willing to work in a cooperative framework with other key players in the region--Russia and China.
