Valdai Club

India’s initiatives in the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation have focused on economic issues, reflecting its desire to build economic cooperation with Central Asian states in order to improve its regional positioning and enhance multilateralism. The SCO can no doubt contribute to regional collaboration by adhering to the 4 Ms principle: members must embrace Mutual Respect, Mutual Interest, Mutual Sensitivity and Mutual Benefit in order for the group to emerge stronger and more relevant, writes Anil Trigunayat.

India faces a unique challenge where its strategic partners are at war with one another in a region of existential importance to it. This war, whatever its outcome, will create a loss of confidence and distrust among the Gulf majors in particular and the region in general regarding Washington’s capacity to remain credibly invested in their security, writes Anil Trigunayat.

India’s approach to Central Asia is one of strategic outreach, which is somewhat cautious but characterised by proactive engagement, and is also underscored by the big power contest in the region. While there will be greater competition in times to come, India is bracing with Central Asia through connectivity, commerce, cooperation, collaboration and capacity, building with it a system of strategic autonomy and multi-alignment, writes Ambassador Anil Trigunayat.