Introduction

India and Central Asia share a long history of engagement. The region’s geographical proximity has led India to consider Central Asian countries as part of its extended neighbourhood. India enjoys strategic partnerships with Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan, with both sides acknowledging each other’s strategic importance. This is especially crucial as both sides also face common challenges like terrorism and drug trafficking. The cordial political, economic, and strategic engagement has enabled the scope of cooperation between India and Central Asia to expand towards traditional and non-traditional security spheres, including terrorism and cybersecurity, as the two sides continue to identify ooportunities for cooperation and address common challengesthrough bilateral and multilateral frameworks. 

This paper seeks to examine the shared security concerns of India and Cntral Asian countries, the measures taken to address those concerns and the effectiveness of these measures. 

Mutual Security Concerns

People of Central Asian countries have been affected by terrorist and extremist attacks. In July 2016, an Islamist militant killed three policemen and a civilian in Astana, Kazakhstan.[i] In 2016, a suicide bomber from the East Turkestan Islamic Movement crashed into the gates of the Chinese Embassy in Bishkek where three staff members had received injuries from the attack.[ii]Cross-border terrorism is an issue of particular concern. The Islamic State group claimed responsibility for an attack where four foreign cyclists were killed in Danghara district, Tajikistan in July 2018.[iii] In 2022, ISIS-K claimed the striking of Tajik Military facilities with rockets from Afghanistan’s Takhar province.[iv]

India’s union territory of Jammu & Kashmir on the other hand has experienced 222 incidents of terrorism resulting in 152 deaths, including 97 alleged terrorists in the year 2022 alone.[v] India has been a victim of terrorism, particularly cross-border terrorism.[vi]Acts of terrorism and extremism have threatened the security situation both in the Central Asian countries^[vii] and India, andsecurity is an important issue where both parties find a common ground. 

Afghanistan shares land borders with India, and three Central Asian States—Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan are also its neighbours. However, Afghanistan presents challenges to both sides in the form of drug trafficking and terrorism. Afghanistan hence presents a shared concern to India and Central Asiancountries, as transnational crimes affect them in various ways. 

Drug trafficking is also a common concern between Central Asian countries and India. Afghanistan dominates the opium market, with the ‘northern route’ supplying drugs to Central Asia and beyond, and the ‘southern route’ bringing drugs to India’s doorstep via Pakistan and Iran. This is especially concerning because drug trafficking helps fund terrorist organizations and fuels money laundering, and international crimes.^[viii]

The withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan and the Taliban’s takeover of Kabul in 2021 has led to increased concern among the neighbours of Afghanistan. Given the circumstances, the National Security Advisers/Secretaries of Security Councils of Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan gathered in New Delhi for the Regional Security Dialogue on Afghanistan in November 2021 to mark a shared regional approach to Afghanistan. The Delhi Declaration on Afghanistan issued after the Regional Security Dialogue expressed “support for a peaceful, secure and stable Afghanistan” and expressed concern over “the suffering of the people of Afghanistan arising from the security situation in Afghanistan.”^[ix] Hence, preventing Afghan soil from becoming a safe haven for terrorist organizations has been a priority as stated in the joint statement of the first meeting of the India-Central Asia Joint Working Group (JWG) on Afghanistan on 7 March 2023.^[x]

In addition to the above threats, Central Asian countries are also vulnerable to various forms of cybercrime. The Internet has been used for radicalization of youth, committing financial crimes, ransomware, crypto fraud, and embezzlement of state funds among others. The situation in Central Asia is unique because mobile internet connectivity is a relatively recent phenomenon, and the lack of adequate legislation on internet use has led to a surge in cybercrime in a region where countries are particularly ill-equipped to deal with such attacks.[xi]Both India and the Central Asian countries are very alive to cyberthreats, cybercrime and cyber terrorism. 

Measures Taken by The Two Sides to Address Security Concerns

To address shared concerns, India and the Central Asian countries are expanding defence and security cooperation.India and Central Asian countries have signed multiple security cooperation agreements. These bilateral agreements mostly focus on capacity-building, training assistance, military-technical education and cooperation. 

India-Kazakhstan defence cooperation is carried out under the framework of an agreement on ‘Defence and Military Technical Cooperation’ signed in July 2015. Bilateral defence cooperation primarily consists of military-technical cooperation, military education and training.^[xii]

With the Kyrgyz Republic, India signed multiple MoUs on bilateral defence cooperation when Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi visited the country on 13-14 June 2019 for the SCO’s Summit meeting. The MoUs were between Indian National Security Guards and Kyrgyz National Guards, Indian High Altitude Warfare School, Gulmarg and Kyrgyz Combat Training Centre, Balykchi, Indian National Defence Academy and Kyrgyz Defence Academy and lastly, DRDO and National Centre of Cardiology and Internal Medicine, Bishkek.^[xiii]

Turkmenistan and India signed a Defence Cooperation Agreement during the Indian Prime Minister’s visit in July 2015, providing for annual capacity building and training assistance to Turkmen armed forces through ITEC and other tailor-made courses.^[xiv]

Multiple bilateral engagements have taken place between the Defence Ministers of India and Uzbekistan. In September 2018, the then Defence Minister of Uzbekistan Maj. Gen. Abdusalam Azizov visited India, which was followed by the visit of India’s Minister of Defence, Shri Rajnath Singh to Uzbekistan in November 2019. These visits strengthened ties and led to the signing of multiple MoUs between the two countries. A MoU in Military Medicine was followed up with a MoU on Military Education in October 2018, and two institution-level MoUs were also signed for cooperation in training and capacity building.^[xv]These agreements enhanced the military cooperation between both sides. 

At the multinational level, duringthe first India-Central Asia Summit held on 27 January 2022, both sides shared concerns on terrorism and drug trafficking. The Prime Minister of India, along with the Presidents of the Central Asian countries reiterated the need to address “common challenges of terrorism, extremism and radicalization” through a regular dialogue mechanism between the Security Councils. They also “condemned terrorism in all its forms and manifestations” including the use of terrorist proxies for cross-border terrorism, terror financing, religious extremism, and the abuse of the internet to spread disinformation and incite violence. ^[xvi]

Following the Summit, two meetings have been held at the level of National Security Advisers/Secretaries of Security Councils between India and Central Asian countries, where both sides have emphasisedon enhanced cooperation to deal collectively on issues of terrorism, drug trafficking, cybersecurity and instability in Afghanistan.^[xvii]

These meetings and summits underline the pressing mutual security concerns and indicate their desire to collaborate to address these challenges.

India’s capacity-building approach

To tackle these security concerns, both sides have committed to joint exercises and training contingents for various forms of environmental conditions. Both sides have engaged in medical research, specifically related to conditions inmountainous regions, to learn the changes to physiology at higher altitudes to better equip troops in their missions in such terrains. 

During his visit to Kyrgyzstan in 2015, the Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi inaugurated the Extreme High Altitude Test laboratory Phase 2 of the Kyrgyz-India Mountain Bio-Medical Research Centre (KIMBMRC) at Syok Pass,the laboratory research on human acclimatization at higher altitudes. The Defence Institute of Physiology and Allied Sciences (DIPAS) of DRDO established another KIMBMRC at Bishkek and a Field Laboratory at Tuya Ashu to study human physiology, nutrition and biochemistry in higher altitudes and severe stress environments.^[xviii]

The India-Tajikistan Friendship Hospital (ITFH) was inaugurated in October 2014 based on an MoU signed between India and Tajikistan in January 2013. The hospital provides free-of-cost medical services to the Armed forces and civilian population of Tajikistan and consists of state-of-the-art facilities, including an Operation Theatre, X-ray machines, laboratories, and critical care ambulances. In June 2022, this hospital was handed over to Tajikistan.^[xix]

Joint Exercises Between Central Asian Countries and India

Both sides have also committed to joint exercises to further train their troops to operate better in hostile conditions. They benefit from sharing of best military practices to further enhance their effectiveness in combat.

The Kazind exercise has been conducted between the armed forces of India and Kazakhstan, with the exercise initially called ‘Prabal Dostyk’ when it was first conducted in 2016. Thereafter, the exercise was held annually and was renamed ‘Kazind’ with the last edition being the first bi-service exercise, conducted in October-November 2023 at Otar, Kazakhstan. Furthermore, India and Kazakhstan had jointly practised counter-terrorism operations as per UN mandate, and Raid, Search and Destroy Operations.^[xx]

India and Kyrgyzstan conducted the joint special forces exercise ‘Khanjar’ with the last edition being the 11^th iteration, conducted at Bakloh, Himachal Pradesh in January-February, 2024. Twenty personnel from each country participated in this edition with India’s Parachute Regiment (Special Forces) participating in it, alongside Kyrgyz Republic’s Scorpion regiment. This joint exercise aimed at exchanging skills in Counter-Terrorism Operations in Mountainous Terrain.^[xxi]

India and Uzbekistan also have an annual joint military exercise called ‘Dustlik’. The most recent edition of this exercise was conducted at Termez, Uzbekistan in April 2024, in which 60 personnel from the Indian Army and the Air Force. The Uzbekistan contingent comprised nearly 100 personnel from Uzbekistan’s Army and Air Force. This exercise aimed to enhance capabilities in mountainous and semi-urban terrain with multi-domain operations. Also, tactical drills were practiced on creating a Joint Command Post, Intelligence & Surveillance Center, Insertion & Extraction, demolition of illegal structures, and heliborne operations among other exercises.^[xxii]

These exercises, although conducted with limited troops, have allowed both sides to share their practices and combat experience to deal with the issues of terrorism and drug trafficking more efficiently. The involvement of the army and air force of both sides, alongside special forces, would certainly improve the combat capabilities.

The Joint India-Kyrgyz Army Mountaineering Expeditions had soldiers from India and the Kyrgyz Republic scaling the JOGIN-III peak in Garhwal Himalayas in August-September 2016, Stok Kangri peak in Ladakh in September 2011 and February-March 2023 and Lenin Peak in Kyrgyzstan in August 2013.^[xxiii]

Conclusion

India and Central Asian countries share significant mutual security concerns including terrorism, extremism and radicalization. These common challenges have led to the widening and deepening of security cooperation, such as the military cooperation between both sides. The increase in military engagement between both sides has been envisaged as a practical step towards addressing the mutual security challenges. The evolving geopolitical landscape further emphasizes the importance of their security cooperation in the region and beyond.

*****

*Saurav Das, Research Intern, Indian Council of World Affairs, New Delhi
Disclaimer: Views expressed are personal.

Endnotes

[i] “Kazakhstan Attack: Four in Almaty Killed ‘by Islamist.’”BBC News.  July 18, 2016. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-36823422.

[ii] Dzyubenko, Olga. 2016. “Kyrgyzstan Says Uighur Militant Groups Behind Attack on China’s Embassy.” Reuters, September 7, 2016. https://www.reuters.com/article/world/kyrgyzstan-says-uighur-militant-groups-behind-attack-on-china-s-embassy-idUSL8N1BI3CT/.

[iii]“Tajikistan ‘attack’ Leaves Four Foreign Cyclists Dead.” BBC News.  July 30, 2018. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-45004059.

[iv]“Tajikistan - United States Department of State.” United States Department of State. December 7, 2023. https://www.state.gov/reports/country-reports-on-terrorism-2022/tajikistan/#:~:text=2022%20Terrorist%20Incidents%3A%20ISIS-K,prevented%20in%20Tajikistan%20in%202022.

[v]“India - United States Department of State.” United States Department of State. December 7, 2023. https://www.state.gov/reports/country-reports-on-terrorism-2022/india.

[vi]“Ceasefire Violation and Terrorist Attacks.” Press Information Bureau. February 2, 2021. https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1694506.

[vii]“Astana Declarationof The Councilof Headsof Stateof The Shanghai Cooperation Organization.” The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation. July 11, 2024. https://eng.sectsco.org/20240709/1438929.html#:~:text=The%20Member%20States%20stand%20in,other%20types%20of%20transnational%20organised.

[viii]“West and Central Asia.” n.d. United Nations : Office on Drugs and Crime. Accessed 24, 2024. https://www.unodc.org/unodc/es/drug-trafficking/central-asia.html.

[ix]“The Delhi Regional Security Dialogue on Afghanistan .” Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India. November 10, 2021, Accessed June 10, 2023.  https://www.mea.gov.in/press-releases.htm?dtl/34489/The_Delhi_Regional_Security_Dialogue_on_Afghanistan_November_10_2021.

[x]“Joint Statement of the First Meeting of the India-Central Asia Joint Working Group (JWG) on Afghanistan.” Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India. March 7, 2023, Accessed, June 26, 2024.https://www.mea.gov.in/bilateral-documents.htm?dtl/36333/Joint_Statement_of_the_First_Meeting_of_the_IndiaCentral_Asia_Joint_Working_Group_JWG_on_Afghanistan.

[xi]“Kazakhstan.” Global Organized Crime Index. 2023. Accessed July 21, 2024. https://ocindex.net/country/kazakhstan.

“Kyrgyzstan.” Global Organized Crime Index. 2023. Accessed July 21, 2024. https://ocindex.net/country/kyrgyzstan.

 “Tajikistan.” Global Organized Crime Index. 2023. Accessed July 21, 2024. https://ocindex.net/country/tajikistan.

  “Turkmenistan.” Global Organized Crime Index. 2023. Accessed July 21, 2024. https://ocindex.net/country/turkmenistan.

  “Uzbekistan.” Global Organized Crime Index. 2023. Accessed July 21, 2024. https://ocindex.net/country/uzbekistan.

[xii]“India - Kazakhstan Relations: Bilateral Brief.” n.d. Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India. Accessed June 17, 2024. https://www.mea.gov.in/Portal/ForeignRelation/Unclassified_bilateral_brief_Sept-2023.pdf.

[xiii]“India-Kyrgyz Republic Bilateral Relations.” n.d. Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India. Accessed June 17, 2024. https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwiMzdfIp6uHAxWcUPUHHVazNOsQFnoECBcQAw&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.mea.gov.in%2FPortal%2FCountryQuickLink%2F634_India-Kyrgyz_Bilateral_Relations_for_website.docx%23%3A~%3Atext%3DDuring%2520the%2520Soviet%2520era%252C%2520India%2Con%252018th%2520March%25201992.&usg=AOvVaw0B3G_x5GP0Ev9hFRACZGOp&opi=89978449.

[xiv]“India - Turkmenistan Relations.” Embassy of India, Ashgabat, Turkmenistan. Accessed June 12, 2024. https://eoi.gov.in/ashgabat/?0760?000.

[xv]“Brief on India-Uzbekistan Bilateral Relations.” 2023. Embassy of India,Tashkent. January 27, 2023. Accessed June 27, 2024. https://www.mea.gov.in/Portal/ForeignRelation/Brief_on_India_Uzbekistan_Bilateral_Relations_27_January_2023.pdf.

[xvi]“Delhi Declaration of the 1st India-Central Asia Summit.” Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India. January 27, 2022, Accessed June 10, 2024.https://www.mea.gov.in/bilateral-documents.htm?dtl/34773/Delhi_Declaration_of_the_1st_IndiaCentral_Asia_Summit.

[xvii]“Kazakhstan Hosted 2nd Meeting India-Central Asia National Security Advisers and Secretaries.” News Central Asia (nCa). October 18, 2023, Accessed July 4, 2024.https://www.newscentralasia.net/2023/10/18/kazakhstan-hosted-2nd-meeting-india-central-asia-national-security-advisers-and-secretaries/.

[xviii]Defence Research and Development Organization. 2015. “DRDO Newsletter.” drdo.gov.in. Accessed June 21, 2024. https://www.drdo.gov.in/drdo/sites/default/files/newsletter-document/sep_15.pdf.

[xix]“Press Statement by External Affairs Minister after meeting with Foreign Minister of Tajikistan.” 2021. Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India. March 31, 2021. Accessed July 17, 2024. https://www.mea.gov.in/Speeches-Statements.htm?dtl/33757.

[xx]“Indian Army and Air Force Contingent Departs for India-Kazakhstan Joint Military Exercise KAZIND-2023.” Press Information Bureau, October 29, 2023, Accessed June 8, 2024. https://pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=1972735.

[xxi]“Indian – Kyrgyzstan Joint Special Forces Exercise Khanjar Commencesin Himachal Pradesh.”Press Information Bureau, January 22, 2024, Accessed, June 8, 2024.https://pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=1998544#:~:text=The%2011th%20edition%20of,alternatively%20in%20both%20the%20countries.

[xxii]“Indian Army Contingent Departsfor India- Uzbekistan Joint Military Exercise Dustlik.” Press Information Bureau, April15, 2024, Accessed, June 8, 2024. https://pib.gov.in/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=2017945.

[xxiii]“India-Kyrgyz Republic Bilateral Relations.” n.d. Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India. Accessed June 17, 2024. https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwiMzdfIp6uHAxWcUPUHHVazNOsQFnoECBcQAw&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.mea.gov.in%2FPortal%2FCountryQuickLink%2F634_India-Kyrgyz_Bilateral_Relations_for_website.docx%23%3A~%3Atext%3DDuring%2520the%2520Soviet%2520era%252C%2520India%2Con%252018th%2520March%25201992.&usg=AOvVaw0B3G_x5GP0Ev9hFRACZGOp&opi=89978449.