Geopolitics of Energy in Central Asia India's Position and Policy

List of Figures. List of Tables. Acknowledgements. Preface. List of Abbreviation and Acronyms. Introduction. 1. Geopolitics of Energy and Energy Security 2. Geopolitics of Energy in Central Asia 3. India-Central Asia Relations: Looking Back and Looking Ahead 4. India’s Energy Trajectory 5. India-Central Asia and the Energy Quest 6. New Great Game and Silk Road Diplomacy 7. Transit Routes between India and Central Asia 8. Conclusion. Bibliography. Annexes. Index

Biography

Ramakrushna Pradhan is Assistant Professor of Political Science and International Relations, in the Department of Social Science, Fakir Mohan University, Balasore, Odisha, India. A Ph.D from the Centre for Russian and Central Asian Studies, School of International Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University, Dr. Pradhan also served as Visiting Professor in the Department of Regional Studies, Faculty of International Relations, L. N. Gumilyov Eurasian National University, Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan. He has also worked in the position of Associate Editor in Eurasian Report, an area study research journal, and as a Research Associate with the Eurasian Foundation, New Delhi. Some of his recent publications include Geopolitics of Central Asia: China–US Engagement (2010), Geopolitics and Energy Diplomacy (2016) and Geopolitics of Energy and Pipeline Diplomacy in Central Asia: Policy Options for India (2018).

Modern Central Asia has become a synonym for energy geopolitics, and India is involved in it. Dr Pradhan’s new book takes readers through the history of India’s energy hunt in Central Asia that went on for decades; it involves intricate details of exploration bids in Kazakhstan – initially driven by strategic consideration and how Nazarbayev astutely used India as a pawn in the delicate balancing act between the various suitors competing for the energy reserves in Kazakhstan. — Ambassador Phunchok Stobdan, former Indian Ambassador to the Republic of Kyrgyzstan

The author has traced the critical role energy plays in developmental processes, innovation and its impact on human lives. India being a net importer of energy, relies partly on Central Asian energy resources for its needs and has crafted a policy and a strategy to procure this vital resource, but there are other players who scrambling for Central Asian energy. The author has discussed in a scholarly way the presence and interplay of major powers in their effort to procure energy. In trying to understand the geopolitics of energy and India’s approach the author has presented a detailed and objective analysis. — Professor Nirmala Jodhi, Former Professor, Centre for Russian and Central Asian Studies, School of International Studies, JNU, New Delhi

India and Central Asian states share a strong historical bond and an exceedingly superb friendship since antiquity. But their trade and economic relations are still at infancy despite being connected through the Silk Road. Although India’s relationship and diplomatic ties with the countries of Central Asia after the disintegration of the Soviet Union have been relatively strong yet India was dubbed disinterested due to its shyness in taking part in the energy game taking place in the region. This book in this premise is timely as it vividly discusses the energy security dimension between India and Central Asia, both from bilateral and multilateral perspectives. I am sure scholars and experts would benefit immensely from the pragmatic investigations of this book in the energy domain.—Professor Akbota Zholadasbekova, Vice-Rector, L. N. Gumilyov Eurasian National University, Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan.