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India should move from a largely aspirational 'connect' policy towards a project-based Central Asia strategy.
Connectivity projects through Chabahar and the INSTC must be combined with logistics agreements, customs digitisation and reliable shipping schedules.
Syllabus & Relevance
Paper: GS-2
Theme: International Relations
Static Foundation
The UPI-UZQR initiative should be expanded into wider fintech cooperation.
India can develop long-term agreements for uranium and critical minerals while supporting local processing and skill development rather than merely importing raw resources.
Indian pharmaceutical companies can establish manufacturing and distribution bases in Central Asia.
Medical education and hospital partnerships are another natural area of cooperation.
Counterterrorism, cyber security and anti-narcotics cooperation should continue through bilateral mechanisms and the SCO.
India should also use Buddhist heritage, Yoga, Hindi, Sanskrit, cinema and educational exchanges as strategic soft-power assets.
The essential principle is selective realism: India does not need to outspend every major power.
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