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India-Central Asia: Defence and Security Cooperation

Central Asia has emerged as an important geopolitical space after the disintegration of the Soviet Union in 1991. Its geostrategic location at the crossroads of East and West, South, Central, and West Asia has often resulted in the spread of challeng....

February 28, 2022 International Relations and Diplomacy , Central Asia , Kyrgyzstan , Kazakhstan , Afghanistan , Uzbekistan , Defence production , Taliban , Tajikistan , Turkmenistan , India-Central Asia Dialogue , Delhi declaration , Khanjar , Kazind , Defence Expo , India-Central Asia Summit
Why are Central Asian Republics wooing Pakistan?
Dr Pravesh Kumar Gupta, Associate Fellow, VIF Article

The emerging regional security threats post-US withdrawal from Afghanistan has led to an active engagement between Pakistan and Central Asian republics (CARs). The US and NATO forces were scheduled to be withdrawn from Afghanistan by 11 September 202....

July 15, 2021 International Relations and Diplomacy , Central Asia , Pakistan , Article , Pakistan , China , Russia , Kyrgyzstan , INSTC , Chabahar Port , Iran , Kazakhstan , US Withdrawal , CPEC , Taliban , Turkey , Tajikistan , Turkmenistan , CSTO , Afghanistan. Uzbekistan , Trans-Afghan Railway , Transit Trade Agreement
Second China-Central Asia (C+C5) Foreign Ministers Meet: Major Takeaways
Dr Pravesh Kumar Gupta, Associate Fellow, VIF Article

Background
China’s relations with its Central Asian neighbours have been complicated. Since the disintegration of the Soviet Union, Central Asia has been crucial for Chinese foreign policy for two reasons. First, the security of its nor....

June 07, 2021 International Relations and Diplomacy , Central Asia , Article , China , Kyrgyzstan , SCO , INSTC , Chabahar Port , Kazakhstan , Eurasian Economic Union , Tajikistan , Turkmenistan , BRI , COVID-19 , China's Belligerence , C+C5 , Afghanistan. Uzbekistan
The Economic Impact of COVID-19 in Central Asia
Dr Pravesh Kumar Gupta, Associate Fellow, VIF Article

Introduction
The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic is so profound that the world will never be the same again. Human communication, social norms and habits have transformed immensely due to this. More digitalisation and less physical intera....

December 11, 2020 International Relations and Diplomacy , Central Asia , Article , Kyrgyzstan , Kazakhstan , Uzbekistan , GDP growth , Tajikistan , Turkmenistan , Tourism , COVID-19 , World Bank , IMF , lockdown , Remittances , Foreign Trade , Aid , Budget , ADB
Post-Election Crisis in Kyrgyzstan
Dr Pravesh Kumar Gupta, Associate Fellow, VIF Article

Introduction
Recently, Kyrgyzstan faced one of the worst political crises in a decade. The current political turmoil is no different from the previous two popular revolutions of 2005 and 2010. The 'Tulip Revolution' of 2005 marked the the....

November 09, 2020 International Relations and Diplomacy , Central Asia , Article , India , China , Russia , Kyrgyzstan , Protests , USA , Political Crisis , Jeenbekov , Parliamentary elections , Clan Politics , North-South Divide , Rigged Elections , Sadyr Japarov
Second India-Central Asia Dialogue: Major Takeaways
Dr Pravesh Kumar Gupta, Associate Fellow, VIF Article

Introduction
Central Asia is considered India's extended neighbourhood. In the absence of direct land connectivity, India-Central Asia relations have been marginalized in the post-Soviet period. India and Central Asian Republics (CARs) sh....

November 05, 2020 International Relations and Diplomacy , Central Asia , Article , China , Kyrgyzstan , Kazakhstan , Afghanistan , Uzbekistan , USA , Tajikistan , Turkmenistan , Grants , Extended Neighborhood , Developmental partnerships , Line of Credit , C5+1
China's Debt Trap in Central Asia
Dr Pravesh Kumar Gupta, Associate Fellow, VIF Article

Background
Chinese interest in Central Asia is multifold. Firstly to secure its northwestern region of Xinjiang, which shares a direct border with three Central Asian countries; Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan. Xinjiang is home to....

October 01, 2020 International Relations and Diplomacy , Central Asia , Article , China , Kyrgyzstan , Kazakhstan , Corruption , Tajikistan , BRI , Debt Trap , Loans , AIIB , Predatory lending , Anti-Chinese sentiments , Credits , Territorial claims
COVID-19 in Tajikistan: From Denial to Full-scale Crisis
Dr Pravesh Kumar Gupta, Associate Fellow, VIF Article

Despite being surrounded by the countries with positive cases of coronavirus, the Tajik Government had consistently denied the existence of the virus until April 30 when 15 cases were reported. This announcement was made when the World Health Organiz....

June 15, 2020 International Relations and Diplomacy , Central Asia , Article , India , China , Kyrgyzstan , Kazakhstan , Uzbekistan , poverty , Unemployment , Tajikistan , Coronavirus , COVID-19 , World Bank , Pandemic , IMF , Remittances , Pneumonia , Medical Diplomacy , Vande Bharat
Central Asia's Labour Migration amid Coronavirus
Dr Pravesh Kumar Gupta, Associate Fellow, VIF Article

1. Introduction
The term 'migrant' is often stereotyped as a person who is an undesirable burden and their economic contribution to national economies is seldom measured. The correlation between migration and remittances can be understood....

May 12, 2020 International Relations and Diplomacy , Central Asia , Article , Russia , Kyrgyzstan , Central Asia , Uzbekistan , poverty , Unemployment , Tajikistan , Coronavirus , COVID-19 , Pandemic , Remittances , Migration , Labour , EEU
India-Central Asia Business Council: Reinvigorating India-Central Asia Economic Engagement
Dr Pravesh Kumar Gupta, Associate Fellow, VIF Commentary

On 6 February 2020, the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) along with apex industrial bodies of the five Central Asian countries launched the India-Central Asia Business Council. In his address, External Affairs Minister, ....

February 10, 2020 International Relations and Diplomacy , Central Asia , Commentary , India , Kyrgyzstan , INSTC , Central Asia , Kazakhstan , Uzbekistan , trade , Chabahar , Tajikistan , Turkmenistan , Business Council , FICCI , Tourism
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