Recently, EAM Dr. S. Jaishankar hosted a high-level meeting at 4th edition of the ‘India Central Asia Dialogue’ to explore economic growth opportunities and strengthen India-Central Asia relations.
Strategic Challenges in India-Central Asia Relations
Trade Barriers & Limited Economic Integration: India's trade with Central Asia hovers below $2 billion annually—negligible compared to China’s ~$50 billion with the region.
Logistical challenges, high tariffs, and regulatory complexities continue to limit trade expansion.
India and Vietnam have agreed to step up cooperation in the media and entertainment sector during a meeting between the Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting and a delegation from Vietnam.
Challenges
China Factor: Both countries face maritime disputes with China, but Vietnam remains cautious in overtly aligning with India on regional security.
Trade Imbalance: Vietnam enjoys a trade surplus with India (e.g., USD 9.35 bn imports vs USD 5.47 bn exports in 2023–24).
India's export potential remains underutilized due to non-tariff barriers, logistics costs, and limited market access.
Slow Progress in FTA Review: The ASEAN-India Trade in Goods Agreement (AITIGA) is under review since 2022 but progress has been sluggish.
Discussions are ongoing in India to amend the nuclear liability framework, regulated by the Civil Liability for Nuclear Damages Act (CLNDA), 2010, and the Atomic Energy Act (AEA), 1962.
About
India’s clean energy transition goals and net-zero commitments necessitate ramping up non-fossil energy, including nuclear.
The Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act, 2010 (CLNDA) assigns liability to suppliers, deterring foreign investment.
The debate hinges on whether amending this law is necessary or whether the obstacles are deeper and more structural.
The study by the researchers of the Indian Institute of Technology Gandhinagar (IITGN), has uncovered archaeological evidence that pushes back the human presence in this region by at least 5,000 years prior to the arrival of Harappans.
Findings of the study
Early Human Settlement in Kachchh: The study suggests that early communities inhabited a mangrove-dominated landscape and relied on shell species (both bivalves like oysters and gastropods), naturally adapted to such environments, as a significant food source.
The presence of stone tools (for cutting, scraping, and splitting) and tool-making cores indicates the existence of semi-permanent or settled communities.
Pre-Harappan Culture with Regional Linkages: The findings suggest a cultural continuity and regional interaction among early coastal communities from:
Las Bela and Makran regions (now in Pakistan), and
The Oman Peninsula, indicating similar subsistence and survival strategies.
