India's strategic partnership with Uzbekistan challenge and opportunities

Authors

  • Jagesh Kumar Research Scholar, Department of Political Science, Central University of Himachal Pradesh
  • Prof. Jagmeet Bawa Professor & Head, Department of Poltical Science, Central University of Himachal Pradesh

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.29070/xj6r0d31

Keywords:

India–Uzbekistan relations, Strategic partnership, Central Asia, Connect Central Asia Policy, International North-South Transportation Corridor (INSTC), Regional connectivity, Energy security, Counter-terrorism cooperation, Geopolitical competition, Soft-power diplomacy

Abstract

India and Uzbekistan have a long history of cultural relations and whereas more recently the strategic partnership has been further entrenched. This study surveys the trajectory, present standing, and prospect of relations between the two countries against the backdrop of geopolitical changes-in Central Asia. Uzbekistan is at the centre of an Indian pivot in support of other growing initiatives-such as the Connect Central Asia Policy and the International North-South Transportation Corridor (INSTC), being more significant in relation to regional connectivity, energy security, and counter-terrorism cooperation. The other areas of cooperation may include trade, defence, education, and digital technology. The authors point out that absence of direct access routes and geopolitical competition from China and Russia, as well as institutional limitations, continue to hinder these opportunities.Using a qualitative method of inquiry, research draws on academic literature, policy papers, and government reports to address strategic alignments and gaps. Cooperative opportunities in renewable energy, pharmaceuticals, and soft-power diplomacy are also considered. The paper ends with some concrete policy recommendations that can help both countries address regional challenges and build a strong and strategic partnership that benefits both and is based on shared regional goals.

References

Bhatia, R. (2021). Uzbekistan-India: Exploring new horizons of strategic partnership. Vivekananda International Foundation. https://www.vifindia.org/event/report/2021/october/uzbekistan-india-exploring-new-horizons-of-strategic-partnership

Gupta, P. K. (2023). India-Uzbekistan connectivity and the INSTC dilemma. JSTOR. https://www.jstor.org/stable/48733884

Chen, G. (2023). The Belt and Road Initiative in Central Asia: A regional analysis. ScienceDirect. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S016788092200411X

Narayan, R., Tursonov, B., & Kumar, G. (2018). Contemporary perspectives on India-Uzbekistan relations. Google Books. https://books.google.co.in/books?hl=en&lr=&id=eXLOEAAAQBAJ&oi=fnd&pg=PA1986

Choudhary, L. R. (2022). Reimagining India-Uzbekistan trade corridors. JSTOR. https://www.jstor.org/stable/27146668

Mourya, R., & Diwan, G. (2024). Strategic engagement of India in Central Asia. RJSLR Journal. https://rjupublisher.com/ojs/index.php/RJSLR/article/view/371

Koparkar, R. (2024). India’s strategic blueprint in Central Asia. EBSCOhost. https://openurl.ebsco.com/EPDB%3Agcd%3A4%3A4158852/detailv2?sid=ebsco%3Aplink%3Ascholar&id=ebsco%3Agcd%3A174723760

Bhaduri, A. (2022). Energy and infrastructure in India-Uzbekistan relations. JSTOR. https://www.jstor.org/stable/48745124

Akhlaque, A. A. (2022). India-Uzbekistan cultural relation: History, heritage and possibilities. CyberLeninka. https://cyberleninka.ru/article/n/india-uzbekistan-cultural-relation-history-heritage-and-possibilities

Mallik, S., & Singh, M. (2022). India-Uzbekistan cooperation and regional development. University of Kashmir. https://ccas.uok.edu.in/Files/93269b6c-7f53-4439-ae9a-3bdf55a4c649/Journal/3b7ad31a-9393-4cd5-9673-44c1717351d4.pdf#page=6

Yusupovich, M. B., &Kadirovich, R. N. (2022). Economic cooperation between India and Uzbekistan: A sectoral analysis. GE Journal. https://gejournal.net/index.php/IJSSIR/article/view/548

Singh, S. (2022). Soft power and Indian diplomacy in Central Asia. Indian Journals. https://www.indianjournals.com/ijor.aspx?target=ijor:pdc&volume=8&issue=2&article=007

Sarma, A. S. (2024). India’s policy towards Central Asia: Navigating the external challenges. Policy Perspectives Foundation. https://ppf.org.in/assets/web/images/category/240903_-_India%E2%80%99s_Policy_towards_Central_Asia-_Navigating_the_External_Challenges_-by_Angira_Sen.pdf

Dmitrieva, M. O., & Dhaka, A. (2025). Strategic cooperation in a multipolar world: The India-Uzbekistan case. Vestnik RUDN. https://journals.rudn.ru/international-relations/article/view/43463

Downloads

Published

2025-04-01

How to Cite

[1]
“India’s strategic partnership with Uzbekistan challenge and opportunities”, JASRAE, vol. 22, no. 3, pp. 17–29, Apr. 2025, doi: 10.29070/xj6r0d31.

How to Cite

[1]
“India’s strategic partnership with Uzbekistan challenge and opportunities”, JASRAE, vol. 22, no. 3, pp. 17–29, Apr. 2025, doi: 10.29070/xj6r0d31.