C3S ISSUE BRIEF 28/26 - Beyond Rivalry: Understanding China and India’s Unequal Engagement In Central Asia
By Mariam Fathima, Research Intern, C3S
Guided By Professor Ashik Bonofer
Introduction
In the aftermath of the Soviet Union’s collapse in 1991, Central Asia has emerged as a strategically significant region because of its central location in Eurasia and its vast energy and natural resource reserves. Once the centre of historical trade networks such as the Silk Road, the region has regained global attention as major powers seek to expand their strategic, economic, and political influence, prompting some analysts to describe it as a contemporary “Great Game”. Among these external actors, China and India are two major Asian powers with overlapping interests in energy security, regional connectivity, and stability in Central Asia. However, their positions in the region differ significantly. China has established a dominant position in Central Asia through massive infrastructure and connectivity projects such as the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), while India has developed a comparatively limited presence due to geographical constraints and connectivity challenges.
This study examines the dynamics of India-China engagement in Central Asia and the factors that contribute to China’s greater success in the region. It further analyses the extent to which their engagement reflects competition, the potential for future cooperation, and the strategies India can use to enhance its engagement in the region.
Read the full Issue Brief below:
(Mariam Fathima is a Research Intern at C3S. The views expressed here are of the author's own and do not reflect the views of C3S.)
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