Central Asia

Several trade, diplomatic, and mineral deals have been announced. A new global race for critical minerals is now on. But challenges abound

Meet Pallas's Cat: A feline that stands on its bushy tail to shield its paws and is among the world’s oldest

The elusive Pallas’s cat, one of the world’s oldest wild felines, has a unique habit of standing on its thick, bushy tail to shield its paws from freezing ground.

China, Central Asian countries agree better connectivity by land, flights

China will look at simplifying visa procedures with the five Central Asian countries while all parties will study the feasibility of opening consular offices

Chabahar port opens door for India to Central Asia, giving an edge over China

Chabahar port not only improves India’s access to Afghanistan, but also Central Asia by providing a shorter route. At present, trade has to flow via a much longer route through China increasing the cost. The development of Chabahar will open up a shorter route making Indian exports more competitive and vice-versa

India has little time to lose as new land routes in Central Asia, Iran spring up as trade links

Central Asian and Eurasian region’s geopolitical might is on the rise but India has to speed up its efforts or else fall behind China in yet another trade relationship exercise

SCO is crucial for India to emerge as a third option in Central Asia

Russia and China are already dominant forces there. Though the Central Asian elites prefer China to Russia, ordinary citizens have not benefited from China’s presence. India, with its traditional medicines, digital inclusion, startups and shared Buddhist heritage, has a definite edge.

Split screen diplomacy: China seeks to assert Central Asian hegemony with a parallel summit as G7 kicks off in Japan

The summit of China and five Central Asian countries, who are core members of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, could also be a signal for regional rival India, which as the current chair, is scheduled to host the SCO summit in Delhi in July.

India attracts rare praise from Chinese analysts for “not undermining India’s strategic independence” in the Quad

Chinese commentators in the English daily Global Times, said Australia and Japan have tied themselves to America’s ‘anti-China chariot’, while India’s cooperation with the US, unlike the other two, was done without undermining its strategic independence.

INSTC route between India and Russia to see pick-up in trade volumes from next month, say officials

The INSTC is India's grand plan to cut short the time taken for trade shipments to reach Russia and Europe, and enter the central Asian markets, and vice versa.

The Eastern Window: Waking up to business, political opportunities in Central Asia

In a significant move, India has signed an agreement with five Central Asian countries to jointly tackle terrorism, besides developing trade and freight linkages. This is being done in the face of serious challenges from Pakistan and China

Neglected after PV Narasimha Rao, Modi puts spotlight back on India-Central Asia ties

Resource-rich, geopolitically-vital Central Asia has many suitors. Even if half of the vision in speeches delivered at India’s first summit with the region fructifies, India can be a favourite among these suitors 

Why India must re-work its Central Asia strategy

With the Taliban takeover in Afghanistan, India is working with Central Asian nations to safeguard the region from negative repercussions in terms of radicalisation, increased terrorist activity and drug trafficking. However, it is also re-working an independent Central Asia policy Gulshan Sachdeva

Crisis in Afghanistan turns the spotlight on Central Asia

The Central Asian republics can influence events on the ground in Afghanistan in a way Nato never could, except with brute military force 

EXCLUSIVE |Taliban-controlled Afghanistan won’t be part of proposed 4-nation grouping on Chabahar port and INSTC, say sources

The Taliban takeover of Afghanistan has signaled more hurdles for India's ambitious International North South Transport Corridor project, that cuts through Iran, Azerbaijan and Russia to establish a quicker and cheaper trade route between India, Europe and Central Asia.

Coronavirus pandemic | US concerned over food security issue in South and Central Asia: Official

Several nations across South and Central Asian countries have implemented complete lockdown for a temporary period to contain the spread of deadly coronavirus

Beware of China: Mike Pompeo message in Europe, Central Asia trip

But the message he conveyed to his hosts stayed the same: Beware of China. In his trip to Europe and Central Asia, Pompeo denounced China's human rights record, criticized its aggressive trade practices and urged his hosts to be wary of Chinese investment and influence. He warned that China poses a risk as countries develop next-generation, high-speed wireless networks.

Donald Trump calls India a true friend: US official

Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia Alice Wells' remarks came at a farewell reception hosted by the State Department in honour of the outgoing Indian Ambassador to the US, Navtej Singh Sarna.

Chabahar pact a gateway to Central Asia for Indian cos: Ficci

"Prime Minister Narendra Modi's outreach to Tehran has infused vigour into the momentum to develop connectivity, infrastructure and in India's energy security goals," the industry body said.

Central Asia's battleground: Who's winning?

Beijing and Moscow are competing for influence and profits in Central Asia, invoking a centuries-old battle for the energy-rich area, but political pundits are at odds as to who's winning so far.

China kicks off $79.8 bn Silk Road infrastructure project

Though the province does not share its borders with any central Asian countries, it will be an important stretch of the Silk Road Economic Belt, state-run Xinhua news agency reported on Sunday.

KEC expects SAE and water business to see high growth

KEC International reported consolidated net profit and sales for the quarter at Rs 78.5 crore and Rs 1557 crore, respectively. The company expects SAE and water business to see high growth.