Analyze how India’s relations with nations in Central Asia, including Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Kazakhstan, have changed throughout time. Talk about the region’s importance for India’s energy security, connectivity initiatives, and counterterrorism operations.
Answer: India and France enjoy a traditionally close and friendly relationship. In 1998, they entered into a "Strategic Partnership" based on the convergence of views on various international issues. For India, France could act as a doorway to the European Union (EU). The bilateral relationship coulRead more
Answer: India and France enjoy a traditionally close and friendly relationship. In 1998, they entered into a “Strategic Partnership” based on the convergence of views on various international issues. For India, France could act as a doorway to the European Union (EU). The bilateral relationship could help India in deepening its engagement with the EU in the following ways:
- As the President of the Council of EU: Recently, France has taken over the Presidency of the Council. As the President, France will be instrumental in steering the economic, strategic, and security decisions of the EU. This could result in greater convergence between India and the EU in these areas, as India and France share common values and visions.
- The impact of Brexit: The United Kingdom’s departure has left enormous political and financial gaps in the EU thereby shifting the centre of gravity towards other Eurozone members especially Germany and France. With France looking at Brexit as an opportunity for a “European Renaissance and a change in dispensation in Germany, the case for EU balance shifting in favour of France gets strengthened. Thus, a strong bilateral relationship with France will be in India’s interest to take the India-EU relationship to the next level.
- Convergence over the Indo-Pacific: The EU’s strategy for cooperation in the Indo-Pacific will be formally adopted during the French presidency. This is expected to result in greater convergence between India and the EU on the question of the Indo-Pacific, as both India and France firmly share the vision of freedom and rules-based order in the region.
- Facilitate greater trade engagement: India and the EU are presently negotiating a Free Trade Agreement (FTA). India’s successful trade relationship with France (despite the pandemic, bilateral trade stood at US $8.85 billion in 2021) could help in generating greater synergies between India and the EU and could help arrive at a consensus regarding the FTA.
The bilateral relationship between India and France is not only crucial for unlocking the synergies between India and the EU but it is also crucial for sustainable and stable world order, because of the following reasons:
- International forums: In the UN Security Council and other international forums, where competing and complex sets of interests affect choices of members, France has been a reliable, strong and consistent partner of India.
- Development cooperation in other regions: Indo-French partnership is critical for India to safeguard its interests, including the security of the sea lanes, freedom of navigation and the protection of the marine commons. It also works jointly to uphold international law and support the organic evolution of a rules-based regional architecture and for development in other regions, for instance, Indo-French cooperation for development in Africa.
- Cooperation for environment protection and sustainability: The Indo-French cooperation for sustainable development is crucial. Together, they have taken various steps such as declaring the year 2021-22 as the Indo-French Year of the Environment, formation of the International Solar Alliance, etc.
- Space cooperation: India and France have a rich history of cooperation in the field of space. They have issued a “Joint Vision for Space Cooperation” and both advocate peaceful and constructive development of the space sector. The two countries have also cooperated for various space programmes such as Gaganyaan, GSAT-11, etc.
- Cooperation for strategic autonomy and multilateralism: India sees France as a resident power in the Indo-Pacific and considers France to be indispensable for ensuring peace and stability in the region. Both countries not only share the vision of free and rules-based conduct in the Indo-Pacific region but also the vision of strategic autonomy and a multi-polar world.
Thus, India’s strong bilateral relations with France will not only be a fundamental anchor in shoring up the Brussels-India dynamic during its presidency but it is also crucial for protecting the commons and upholding international law and multilateralism.
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India's relations with Central Asian countries have undergone significant changes over the past few years, driven by India's growing economic and strategic interests in the region. Here's an evaluation of the evolving nature of India's relations with Central Asian countries: **Kazakhstan:** * StrateRead more
India’s relations with Central Asian countries have undergone significant changes over the past few years, driven by India’s growing economic and strategic interests in the region. Here’s an evaluation of the evolving nature of India’s relations with Central Asian countries:
**Kazakhstan:**
* Strategic partnership: India and Kazakhstan have strengthened their strategic partnership, focusing on energy cooperation, trade, and defense ties.
* Connectivity projects: Kazakhstan is a key partner for India’s connectivity projects, such as the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC) and the Chabahar-Zahedan-Kandahar railway project.
* Energy security: Kazakhstan is a significant source of oil and gas for India, and India is looking to increase its imports from the country.
**Kyrgyzstan:**
* Strategic cooperation: India and Kyrgyzstan have strengthened their strategic cooperation, focusing on trade, energy, and counter-terrorism.
* Connectivity projects: Kyrgyzstan is a crucial link for India’s connectivity projects, including the INSTC and the Mazar-i-Sharif-Mazar-e-Sharif-Termiz highway project.
* Counter-terrorism: Kyrgyzstan has been a key partner for India in counter-terrorism efforts, particularly in addressing the threat from Islamic State (ISIS) and other extremist groups.
**Tajikistan:**
* Strategic partnership: India and Tajikistan have strengthened their strategic partnership, focusing on energy cooperation, trade, and defense ties.
* Connectivity projects: Tajikistan is a key partner for India’s connectivity projects, including the Pamir Highway and the Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Oblast (GBAO) road project.
* Counter-terrorism: Tajikistan has been a key partner for India in counter-terrorism efforts, particularly in addressing the threat from ISIS and other extremist groups.
**Turkmenistan:**
* Energy cooperation: Turkmenistan is a significant source of natural gas for India, and India is looking to increase its imports from the country.
* Connectivity projects: Turkmenistan is a key partner for India’s connectivity projects, including the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) pipeline project.
* Diplomatic engagement: India has strengthened its diplomatic engagement with Turkmenistan, with regular high-level visits and cooperation on regional issues.
**Uzbekistan:**
* Strategic partnership: India and Uzbekistan have strengthened their strategic partnership, focusing on trade, energy, and defense ties.
* Connectivity projects: Uzbekistan is a key partner for India’s connectivity projects, including the Mazar-i-Sharif-Mazar-e-Sharif-Termiz highway project and the Samarkand-Tashkent-Delhi rail link.
* Counter-terrorism: Uzbekistan has been a key partner for India in counter-terrorism efforts, particularly in addressing the threat from ISIS and other extremist groups.
The significance of Central Asia for India can be seen in several areas:
1. **Connectivity:** Central Asia is a critical region for India’s connectivity projects, which aim to connect India to Europe, Russia, and other regions.
2. **Energy security:** Central Asia is a significant source of energy for India, particularly natural gas.
3. **Counter-terrorism:** Central Asia has been a key front in the global war against terrorism, with many extremist groups operating in the region. India has been working closely with Central Asian countries to address this threat.
4. **Economic growth:** Central Asia offers significant economic opportunities for Indian businesses, particularly in areas like textiles, pharmaceuticals, and IT services.
In conclusion, India’s relations with Central Asian countries have undergone significant changes over the past few years. The region holds immense importance for India’s connectivity projects, energy security, counter-terrorism efforts, and economic growth. As India continues to engage with Central Asia, it is likely that these relationships will continue to deepen and expand.
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