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India and Its Extended Neighbourhood: Central Asia in the Emerging Eurasian Geopolitical Order

Author(s) Ms. Sheetal Arya, Mrs. Neha Tamta
Country India
Abstract India’s foreign policy has undergone a significant transformation from a narrowly defined neighbourhood focus to a broader conception of an extended neighbourhood encompassing Eurasia. Central Asia occupies a pivotal position within this expanded framework due to its strategic geography, energy resources, and role in emerging connectivity architectures. This paper examines India’s engagement with Central Asia within the evolving geopolitical context of Greater Eurasia, emphasizing the interplay of strategic autonomy, connectivity imperatives, and great power competition. It argues that India’s approach is shaped by both structural constraints—such as lack of direct land access and China’s expanding influence—and enabling factors, particularly its partnership with Russia and participation in multilateral institutions like the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO). The study situates Central Asia within classical and contemporary geopolitical frameworks, highlighting its enduring relevance as a “pivot region” in Eurasian politics. It concludes that India’s long-term success in the region depends on a calibrated, multi-vector strategy that integrates economic, strategic, and institutional dimensions.
Keywords Extended neighbourhood; Central Asia; Eurasian geopolitics; India foreign policy; INSTC
Field Arts
Published In Volume 7, Issue 4, April 2026
Published On 2026-04-15
DOI https://doi.org/10.70528/IJLRP.v7.i4.2157
Short DOI https://doi.org/hb27s6

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