Central Asia is the northern frontier of the Islamic world hitherto unaffected by fundamentalist wave. The Soviet developmental legacy still remains as a bulwark against potential extremist threats emanating from Pakistan and Afghanistan. However, behind the secular settings a major shift to a far more religious pattern of society is underway in the region.
Over the years, India has been taking renewed interest in enhancing its strategic presence in Central Asia, but it is yet to capitalise on various opportunities and potentials. India's full membership into the SCO now opens up an opportunity for a closer engagement with region but New Delhi still lacks a political-strategic clarity.
This book is an attempt to provide an overview of the political and strategic process at work in Central Asia since its emergence in 1991 and the intricate issues that impinge on India. The book is mostly about identifying critical points that are important for evolving a sound Central Asia policy in India.
The book does not in any sense purport to be an academic endeavour on Central Asian studies but merely a narrative, as well as, an analytical account and a result of author's own self-education and understanding gathered through extensive interactions with wide sections of people in Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan, especially with the think tanks, academia, government officials and the diplomatic community. The chapters in book are capsulated to provide analyses of the impinging issues that shape the dynamic interplay between Central Asia's internal polity and its external outlook. The book contains aspects critical for enhancing India's strategic presence in the region.
Senior Fellow, IDSA, Professor P Stobdan’s article on Ladakh, titled ‘Ladakh’s long wait for more’ was published in ‘The Tribune’ on October 30, 2018.
Considering Ladakh’s geo-strategic significance and in the light of Pakistan recently promulgating the Gilgit Baltistan Order 2018, a change in Ladakh is critical. New Delhi has to be mindful of China blustering its way through the region under its CPEC projects which will have direct consequences for Ladakh, writes Professor Stobdan.
Senior Fellow, IDSA, Professor P Stobdan’s article on Karmapas, titled ‘2 Karmapas are uniting and it’s time for India to deal with it in a mature way’ was published in ‘The Print’ on October 16, 2018.
Meeting of the two Karmapas in France can have far-reaching consequences for Tibetan politics and India-China relations, writes Professor Stobdan.
Senior Fellow, IDSA, Prof P Stobdan’s article on India-Russia diplomacy, titled ‘Gas and the Greater Game’ was published in Outlook on October 11, 2018.
The article describes Indian diplomacy during Putin’s visit as masterful, but insists that defence cooperation alone cannot sustain the relationship—more economic content is vital.
Senior Fellow, IDSA, Professor P Stobdan’s article on Uzbek president’s visit to India, titled ‘As Uzbek President Visits, India Must Rethink Its Central Asia Policy’ was published in ‘The Wire’ on September 30, 2018.
Uzbeikstan is fast getting linked to the global market for production, supplies of raw materials and services. Several excellent opportunities exist for Indian investment in non-ferrous and rare-earth metals industry, writes Professor Stobdan.
Senior Fellow, IDSA, Ambassador P Stobdan’s interview on India’s transport projects in Eurasia, titled ‘India offered a counterweight to the Chinese initiative "Belt and the Way"’ was published in Eurasia Expert on August 02, 2018.
Amb Stobdan spoke about India's plans to develop transport infrastructure in Central Asia, as well as about specific joint projects of New Delhi and the countries of the region in the field of transport and logistics.
Senior Fellow, IDSA, Ambassador P Stobdan’s article on 17th Karmapa’s refuge in the US, titled ‘The flight of a monk’ was published by the Tribune on July 25, 2018.
The article analyses the political repercussions of Karmapa’s refuge in the US and concerns that he may never return.
Senior Fellow, IDSA, Ambassador P Stobdan’s article on the situation in Jammu and Kashmir, titled ‘Way Ahead: Only a Perception Change Can Prevent Rise of Anti-India Sentiments in J-K’ has been published in July 2018 issue of ‘Outlook’.
The article analyses the political narrative in Kashmir which has changed after youths took over the reins of dissent.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has made a foreign policy course-correction after realising that the strategic tilt towards the United States has not only grossly upset India’s geopolitical image but also undermined national interests.
India and Central Asia: The Strategic Dimension
Over the years, India has been taking renewed interest in enhancing its strategic presence in Central Asia, but it is yet to capitalise on various opportunities and potentials. India's full membership into the SCO now opens up an opportunity for a closer engagement with region but New Delhi still lacks a political-strategic clarity.
This book is an attempt to provide an overview of the political and strategic process at work in Central Asia since its emergence in 1991 and the intricate issues that impinge on India. The book is mostly about identifying critical points that are important for evolving a sound Central Asia policy in India.
The book does not in any sense purport to be an academic endeavour on Central Asian studies but merely a narrative, as well as, an analytical account and a result of author's own self-education and understanding gathered through extensive interactions with wide sections of people in Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan, especially with the think tanks, academia, government officials and the diplomatic community. The chapters in book are capsulated to provide analyses of the impinging issues that shape the dynamic interplay between Central Asia's internal polity and its external outlook. The book contains aspects critical for enhancing India's strategic presence in the region.
Ladakh’s long wait for more
Senior Fellow, IDSA, Professor P Stobdan’s article on Ladakh, titled ‘Ladakh’s long wait for more’ was published in ‘The Tribune’ on October 30, 2018.
Considering Ladakh’s geo-strategic significance and in the light of Pakistan recently promulgating the Gilgit Baltistan Order 2018, a change in Ladakh is critical. New Delhi has to be mindful of China blustering its way through the region under its CPEC projects which will have direct consequences for Ladakh, writes Professor Stobdan.
2 Karmapas are uniting and it’s time for India to deal with it in a mature way
Senior Fellow, IDSA, Professor P Stobdan’s article on Karmapas, titled ‘2 Karmapas are uniting and it’s time for India to deal with it in a mature way’ was published in ‘The Print’ on October 16, 2018.
Meeting of the two Karmapas in France can have far-reaching consequences for Tibetan politics and India-China relations, writes Professor Stobdan.
Read Complete Article [+]
Gas and The Greater Game
Senior Fellow, IDSA, Prof P Stobdan’s article on India-Russia diplomacy, titled ‘Gas and the Greater Game’ was published in Outlook on October 11, 2018.
The article describes Indian diplomacy during Putin’s visit as masterful, but insists that defence cooperation alone cannot sustain the relationship—more economic content is vital.
Read Complete Article [+]
As Uzbek President Visits, India Must Rethink Its Central Asia Policy
Senior Fellow, IDSA, Professor P Stobdan’s article on Uzbek president’s visit to India, titled ‘As Uzbek President Visits, India Must Rethink Its Central Asia Policy’ was published in ‘The Wire’ on September 30, 2018.
Uzbeikstan is fast getting linked to the global market for production, supplies of raw materials and services. Several excellent opportunities exist for Indian investment in non-ferrous and rare-earth metals industry, writes Professor Stobdan.
India’s Economic Opportunities in Central Asia
India needs to use economic leverages more efficiently to build closer ties with Central Asia.
Eurasia Expert Interviews P Stobdan on India’s Transport Projects in Eurasia
Senior Fellow, IDSA, Ambassador P Stobdan’s interview on India’s transport projects in Eurasia, titled ‘India offered a counterweight to the Chinese initiative "Belt and the Way"’ was published in Eurasia Expert on August 02, 2018.
Amb Stobdan spoke about India's plans to develop transport infrastructure in Central Asia, as well as about specific joint projects of New Delhi and the countries of the region in the field of transport and logistics.
The flight of a monk
Senior Fellow, IDSA, Ambassador P Stobdan’s article on 17th Karmapa’s refuge in the US, titled ‘The flight of a monk’ was published by the Tribune on July 25, 2018.
The article analyses the political repercussions of Karmapa’s refuge in the US and concerns that he may never return.
Read Complete Article [+]
Way Ahead: Only a Perception Change Can Prevent Rise of Anti-India Sentiments in J-K
Senior Fellow, IDSA, Ambassador P Stobdan’s article on the situation in Jammu and Kashmir, titled ‘Way Ahead: Only a Perception Change Can Prevent Rise of Anti-India Sentiments in J-K’ has been published in July 2018 issue of ‘Outlook’.
The article analyses the political narrative in Kashmir which has changed after youths took over the reins of dissent.
Read Complete Article [+]
Averting India’s Fall into a Geopolitical Trap
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has made a foreign policy course-correction after realising that the strategic tilt towards the United States has not only grossly upset India’s geopolitical image but also undermined national interests.