Articles

Decoding Tajikistan’s Critical Approach towards Taliban

Dr Pravesh Kumar Gupta, Research Associate , VIF Article

The quick rise of the Taliban after the US troops started to withdraw from Afghanistan has left the country’s neighbours in a difficult situation. Pakistan, a long-time ally of the Taliban, was pleased with the Taliban’s victory in Afghanistan. C....

September 23, 2021 International Relations and Diplomacy , Central Asia , Article , Pakistan , Russia , SCO , Afghanistan , Uzbekistan , Taliban , Tajikistan , CSTO , Military drill , IRPT , Panjshir

How is Central Asia Reacting to Afghanistan’s Fall?

Dr Pravesh Kumar Gupta, Research Associate , VIF Article

Introduction

The developments that Central Asian Republics (CARs) have been dreading in recent weeks have begun to unfold. On August 15, 2021, the Taliban took over Kabul, which ultimately led to the collapse of the Afghan government headed....

August 24, 2021 International Relations and Diplomacy , Neighbourhood Studies , Central Asia , Afghanistan , Article , India , Russia , Central Asia , Afghanistan , Uzbekistan , Taliban , Aircraft , Afghan peace process , Tajikistan , Turkmenistan , Evacuation , CSTO , National Resistance Movement of Afghanistan , Military drill

Developments in Afghanistan: Concerns for Russia’s Central Asia Policy

Dr Pravesh Kumar Gupta, Research Associate , VIF Article

Background

The failure of the Afghan Peace process and subsequent 'US-allied forces’ withdrawal from Afghanistan has paved the way for an accelerated Taliban offensive in the country. This has become a serious concern for regional secur....

August 13, 2021 International Relations and Diplomacy , Central Asia , Afghanistan , Article , Russia , Uzbekistan , Taliban , Afghan peace process , Turkmenistan , IMU , Al Qaeda Tajikistan , military drill.

Regional Equations amid US Withdrawal from Afghanistan

Col Deepak Kumar Article

The sudden withdrawal of US forces on the night of 1st July 2021 from Bagram created a piquant situation not only for Afghanistan security forces but also for the entire world. While a withdrawal was always in the offing, with a deadline being previo....

August 06, 2021 International Relations and Diplomacy , US , Afghanistan , Article , India , Pakistan , US , China , Afghanistan , Uzbekistan , Taliban , Tajikistan , ANDSF , Air Support

VIF Webinar on “Indo-Uzbek Relations”

India and Uzbekistan share close historical and cultural links dating back to ancient times. Uzbekistan is India’s extended neighbour and a strategic partner. This relationship is multi-faceted and includes cooperation in political, trade-economic,....

December 16, 2020 International Relations and Diplomacy , Central Asia , Interaction , Central Asian Republics , Uzbekistan , Coronavirus , COVID-19 , Pandemic , Indo-Uzbek , Tashkent

The Economic Impact of COVID-19 in Central Asia

Dr Pravesh Kumar Gupta, Research Associate , 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

Second India-Central Asia Dialogue: Major Takeaways

Dr Pravesh Kumar Gupta, Research Associate , 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

Chinese Activity in Central Asia; beyond Trade, Transport and Economy

Dr Pravesh Kumar Gupta, Research Associate , VIF Article

Background

China has invested in energy, infrastructure, transportation, railways and roads, communications etc. in Central Asia. Recently, Chinese Huawei has signed around one billion deal with Uzbekistan for digitalization of the countr....

June 30, 2020 International Relations and Diplomacy , Central Asia , Article , China , SCO , Kazakhstan , Uzbekistan , military base , Security , Tajikistan , BRI , COVID-19 , Kyrgyz Republic , Gas pipeline , Badakhshan , Loans , Grants , Debt repayment , Military Exercises

COVID-19 in Tajikistan: From Denial to Full-scale Crisis

Dr Pravesh Kumar Gupta, Research Associate , 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, Research Associate , 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