A number of outside powers have entrenched themselves in Central Asia, which is a zone of interest to India. Discuss the implications, in this context, of India’s joining the Ashgabat Agreement, 2018.
Approach · directive: “discuss the implications”
What it asks · Explain the presence of outside powers in Central Asia and how India's accession to the Ashgabat transport corridor helps its connectivity, economic and strategic interests, and what limits remain.
The question has 2 parts — answer each
- Context: outside powers entrenched in Central Asia and why the region matters to India
- Discuss the implications of India's joining the Ashgabat Agreement (2018): connectivity, economic and strategic gains, the Iran factor and the limits
Open with · China's Belt and Road, Russia's security and economic links and the interests of the US, Turkey and Gulf states have crowded Central Asia; India, with no land route, relies on connectivity diplomacy.
Cover
- The agreement: signed in 2011 by Iran, Oman, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan, the Ashgabat Agreement sets up a multimodal transport and transit corridor between Central Asia and the Persian Gulf; India acceded formally in 2018.
- Connectivity: it gives India an alternative route to Eurasia via Chabahar, the Indian Ocean and the Gulf, bypassing Pakistan, and complements the International North–South Transport Corridor and the Chabahar arrangement with Iran and Afghanistan.
- Economic gains: lower transport time and cost, access to markets, energy and minerals in Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan and Kazakhstan, and simpler customs and visa procedures among members.
- Strategic balance: it helps India answer China's Belt and Road, supports its 'Connect Central Asia' policy (2012) and SCO membership (2017), and adds weight in a region where Russia and China dominate.
- Iran factor: the corridor leans on Iranian territory and ports, and US sanctions on Iran in 2018 complicate payments, shipping and investment.
- Limits: low existing trade, long and costly routes, weak infrastructure and rail gaps, security risks in Afghanistan and slow progress at Chabahar.
- Way forward: speed up Chabahar and rail links, connect the corridor to the North–South route, use SCO and India–Central Asia dialogue, and expand energy, IT and pharmaceutical ties.
Close with · Joining the Ashgabat Agreement gives India a low-cost entry into Central Asia's connectivity network; its impact depends on making Chabahar and the North–South links work despite sanctions and security limits.
Question: UPSC's CS (Main) 2018, GS Paper II — paper ↗. Approach: Minimalist IAS, checked 30 Sept 2026 (how we verify) — UPSC publishes no model answers. ·
Model answer · 233 words (UPSC limit 150) · Minimalist IAS
China's Belt and Road, Russia's security and economic ties, and the US, Turkey and Gulf states have crowded Central Asia, where India lacks a land route. The Ashgabat Agreement, signed in 2011 by Iran, Oman, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan, creates a multimodal transit corridor between Central Asia and the Persian Gulf; India acceded formally in 2018.
Implications for India
- Connectivity: an alternative route to Eurasia through Chabahar and the Gulf, bypassing Pakistan and complementing the International North–South Transport Corridor and the Chabahar arrangement with Iran and Afghanistan.
- Economic: shorter transit and lower costs; access to markets, energy and minerals in Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan and Kazakhstan; simpler customs and transit procedures.
- Strategic: a low-cost answer to the Belt and Road, giving substance to the 'Connect Central Asia' policy (2012) and SCO membership (2017), and a presence where Russia and China dominate.
- Iran factor: the corridor runs through Iranian ports and territory, so US sanctions restored in 2018 complicate payments, shipping and investment.
- Limits: low existing trade, long and costly routes, rail gaps, security risks in Afghanistan and slow progress at Chabahar.
Way forward
- Fast-track Chabahar and rail links, tie the corridor to the North–South route, and use the SCO and India–Central Asia dialogue to widen trade.
Joining the Ashgabat Agreement gives India an inexpensive entry into Central Asia's connectivity network; the gains depend on making Chabahar and the North–South links work despite sanctions and security constraints.
Written by Minimalist IAS from facts checked at source (how we verify) — a little fuller than exam length, so every part of the question is covered; in the hall, keep the structure and trim the detail. UPSC publishes no model answers: compare your structure and coverage with this, then write your own.