India has attached significant importance to Central Asian Republics (CARs) since their independence in 1991. The region is increasingly getting linked to the global market for production, supplies of raw materials and services. The Round Table is proposed to be held against the backdrop of a clarion call (First India – Central Asia Summit- January, 2022) during an online address by the Hon’ble Prime Minister of India for envisioning an ambitious future for ‘an integrated and stable extended neighbourhood’ between India and Central Asia and for a mutually beneficial cooperation for regional security and prosperity.  

Such initiatives through structured dialogue and interactions on strategic partnerships, energy security, combatting terrorism, comprehensive economic engagement between the two regions began to take place only in recent years. India had earlier come up with ‘Connect Central Asia’ approach in 2012 leading to institutionalization of India-Central Asia Dialogue at the Foreign Minister’s level, India-Central Asia Business Council and the India-Central Asia Development Group. The growing bond between India and CARs had also been cemented with Prime Minister Modi’s visit to the region in July 2015.

There is a growing trend of ‘convergence of framework’ and ‘convergence of interest’ between India and CARs ranging from multipolar world order to counter terrorism to economic cooperation. However, the relationship between India and CARs countries has a lot more to achieve. Both the regions share a close historical and cultural contacts, on three indicators of relationships, i.e. (a) government to government, (b) people to people and (c) business to business which need to be further strengthened.  

This International Round Table Discussion has been conceived to analyse and identify obstacles and challenges that come in the way of strengthening relationship between India and CARs. A possible outcome of the Round Table could be in terms of specific strategies and policy measures to support the initiative.

Keeping the above objectives in view, the Conference is designed to have discussions on four major themes mentioned below:

1. Innovative ways of strengthening civil society relationship between India and CARs
2. Inter -regional Cooperation and boosting economic engagements between India and CARs
3. Strengthening Regional Security and Cooperation in the field of de-radicalisation and Counter terrorism between India and CARs
4. Exploring Areas of Technological and Scientific Cooperation between India and CARs