In fact the Silk route was not one road but many. It was actually based on a network of roads generally going east and west, but with spurs into southern Iran, the northern Eurasian steppe and south, over the Hindu Kush to the Indian subcontinent. And over time, it came to be associated with not only a series of transport corridors, but also with ideas and institutions.¹ As it has been observed by V.Voropoeva and V.Goryacheva that,

The great Silk-Road is an agreed name for a trans-continental land road of ancient and Middle Ages, which existed for about 15 centuries. The ancient route of economic and cultural ties linked three parts of the world-Asia, Europe and Africa passing from the Far East through Central and Middle Asia, India Afghanistan, Iran, Western Asia to Mediterraman countries. This road got its name as ‘Silk Road’ from the main trade article Silk and Silk goods, which originated from China. Some parts of trade routes in their time were named like, ‘Arurite route’, Glass route, Amber route, etc. The transcontinental trade route, from the east to the west started to from several branches in various directions, which led to and from the main road in meridian direction to the south to India, in the north to West and South Siberia, Central Asia.²

These networks carried more than just merchandise and precious commodities; the constant movement and mixing of populations also brought about the transmission of knowledge, ideas, culture and beliefs, which had a profound impact on the history and civilization of surrounding areas. Thus, the Silk route was not only a road for carrying on trade through transportation of merchandise but also a means of cultural exchanges which led to increased familiarization. Over the time, this route became increasingly isolated and plunged into a lengthy period of political instability and socio-economic decline.

In modern times, however, geopolitical and economic factor made ‘Silk Route’ important again as it directly linked three regional powers Russia, China and India with Central Asia. It can be proved significant and show potential for the social, commercial and political development in modern inter-dependent and globalised world. It is difficult for men and society to escape the consequences of history, either for good or bad, and past tends to reassert itself within modernity. The ancient Silk Route is also related with same interpretation. In the framework of the ‘World Cultural Decade (1989–1998) approved by the UNESCO, various projects are taken up to acknowledge historical cultural bonding around the world. The study related to ‘Great Silk Route is also included in implementation of this program. After that, this theme and association with it gets momentum in Asian subcontinent and adjourning areas. India was the main destination situated on this historical transit route in South Asia, hence, enjoys better position in this project. In this backdrop, the recent revival of the notion of the Silk Route, in Indian perspective, will help trade and in fulfillment of its energy demand. Thus, on the foreign policy front a great effort is required to avail this prospect.

Located in the heartland of Asia, the new Central Asian Republics (CARs) of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan emerged as a result of disintegration of the former USSR. These states are strategically linked to Russia, China, Magnolia, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iran, Turkey, Georgia and Armenia.³ This region is situated at the crossroads of the ancient Silk-Route China, India and Iran with the West. The region serves not only as a historical buffer zone between Asia and Europe but also as a convenient transit route connecting other major regions. Its location alone is a good indicator of its political and strategic significance. It has witnessed increasing interest from the political and business communities of world.⁴ That is why, it has been rightly pointed out that in ‘this dynamic situation where a political and security vacuum exists, several players have stepped in to gain control in the region.⁵ A struggle for competitive-influence-building by the powers has been underway to establish economic, strategic and political influence in this region. Return to age-old politics of ‘sphere of influence’ a struggle for a renewed ‘great game’ has strated.⁶

Due to its strategic location, demographic composition and availability of oil and mineral wealth, this region has become vital for global politics in general and India in particular. That is why; it has become crucial for the latter, much more than before, to moderate the changing security relationship in its extended neighbourhood in this changed regional scenario.⁷

For India, Central Asia is not merely a geographical proximate region but also one with which it has age-old and profound historical and contemporary relations.⁸ It is sought to strengthen economic and political ties with this much talked extended neighbourhood. The process of renewal and reaffirmation of the close and warm relations between India and countries of Central Asia, marks, what one may call the historical cycle? Hence, this proposal to revive ancient ‘Silk Route’ has not only provided great opportunities in mitigating energy needs, but also strengthen strategic relationship. How to exploit this opportunity and deal with the challenge is an uphill task for Indian foreign policy.

In the recent years, it has been generally acknowledged that the potential of the Silk Route for India's trade with Central Asia is still in demand. It could play an important role in the trade and trading activities between East and West in general and within the Asian countries in particular in this globalised world. Silk Route could be seen as a bridge between India and Central Asia.

This change may generate both challenge and opportunities for India in the reorientation policy in this region. The importance of Central Asia to India lies in its following broad contexts: I. Economics; II. Strategic; III. Political. The comprehensive analysis of all these dimensions can reveal the vital significance of this area to India.

1. Economics: CARs importance to India is widely seen in terms of its enormous natural resources. The three states of CARs-Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan- hold world's largest hydrocarbon reserves ranging between 90 to 2000 billion barrels of oil and 46 percent of the gas reserves.⁹ Kazakhstan alone possesses a quarter of world's known Uranium resources. Uzbekistan treasures the largest goldmine on earth. However, these deposits can be made useable with the help of enormous economic investments and by massive application of sophisticated and advanced technologies.

   The CARs are trying to diversify their economies and are engaged in new partners to enhance economic cooperation. Because of their land-locked status, it is very difficult for them to thoroughly realise their potentials without the support and co-operation of other states. Thus, CARs have the potentials to emerge as an important area of economic activity for India. It is likely to be a great centre for investment market for joint ventures in the core sector of their economies.¹⁰ Simultaneously, India's energy demand is rising rapidly day by day. It is making efforts to look for reliable long-term sources of energy to boost its economy. The pursuit of energy sufficiency and markets impel India to look seriously to Central Asia.

2. Strategic: After the collapse of Soviet Union a new dimension has been added to Asian geopolitics. Geographical location, mineral and oil wealth makes CARs a very important area from the strategic point of view. Its location has made this region not only a bridge between Europe and Asia, but has also positioned it at the crossroad of West Asia, South Asia, Russia and China.¹¹ Hence this region invites the attention of all competing powers for creating their strong hold in this area. The discovery of oil and gas and possession of nuclear technology by some Central Asian Republics have made this region an area for power politics.¹² In this context, Russia has been attempting to reassert its influence over the former dominions. New actors such as Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Iran, and Pakistan immediately entered into a race in which they at first could not accurately gauge their rank. Most of these countries have entered into race due to their ethnic and religious reasons. But others like USA and EU entered mostly keeping in view their economic and strategic interests.

   Besides, Pakistan is keen to develop its relations with CARs relying on Islamic fraternity. It has supported whole-heartedly to Islamic revivalism in this area. So the use of Islamic revivalism is more dangerous than the religious unity among the Muslim. Islamic fundamentalisms are striving captive power by coercive means in these countries resulting in civil strife and turbulence which is likely to have a spill over effect on the Indian state of Kashmir. Any advance by Islamic fundamentalism in this area can invigorate similar activities in Kashmir.

   Thus, external powers’ indulgence in this region has created a serious concern in the minds of Indian policy makers as it may have far more sinister implication in this region and adjoining areas in South Asia. India's security interests are inextricably entwined with the turbulent region of Central Asia.¹³ Hence it is important for India to contain the nefarious activities of these powers and restrict the increasing influence of Islamic states that pose a great threat to India. Owing to its proximity to this region it has to be cautious of the spill over effects on India's security.

3. Political: Demographic composition of CARs is of plural character, where people of different languages, nationalities and ethnicity live to form a composite culture. In view of the poly-ethnic composition of the Republics and the artificially drawn state borders dividing people and nationalities in the recent past have invited numerous inter-ethnic tensions and conflicts in this area.

   Islam constitutes the major belief of an overwhelming majority of people in these states. The dissolution of Soviet Union has given birth to a sudden resurgence of Islam in whole of Central Asia. So the resurgence of fundamentalist Islam in this region is a major policy concern for the whole world. The disappearance of Soviet ideology has left a vacuum in the beliefs and value system leaving search for an alternative ideology an inevitable phenomenon in this region. Consequently, Islam is likely to take deeper roots among the masses in CARs. Under conditions of social tensions, there persists a danger of easy conversion of ‘folk Islam’ into ‘political Islam’ and through the exploitation of the latter by vested interests, into ‘fundamentalist Islam.¹⁴ This new phenomenon has become the most complex issue, which may work as a destabilizing factor in Central Asia and adjourning areas.

   Pakistan has always occupied central place in India's foreign policy. The support to religious fundamentalism, political extremism, international terrorism and armed subversion has become important components of regional strategy for the countries like Pakistan. The fluid situation in Central Asia offers opportunities for Pakistan to enhance its anti-India programme and enlist Central Asian support for its regional policies. These trends have far reaching implications, not only for CARs but also for the neighbouring countries, and a matter of deep concern for both CARs and India's policy makers.

   This analysis reveals that CARs occupies a prominent factor in the formulation of India's foreign policy. India shares the concern of the Central Asian Republics, which have adopted a democratic, secular and market-oriented path of development.¹⁵ Like these Republics, India too, is against the emergence of any religious fundamentalism and external interference. India has the privilege of enjoying goodwill with these states due to a variety of reasons. That is why; it is still in a position to capitalize and should take concrete and bold steps to strengthen mutual economic, political, scientific and cultural relations with Central Asian Republics. Once the productive potential is converted into the economic process, it would trigger a powerful momentum with accompanying flows of imports and exports, requiring viable trade routes to world market.

   The Silk Route has the potential of being a feasible and viable transit route for the international trade in general and India's trade with Central Asia in particular. These initiatives of opening of this ancient Silk Route are expected to reduce transit time and the cost of transportation of goods. It will give Indian companies faster access to booming Central Asia Market. It will make goods cheaper and more competitive. The Central Asia has always been the traditional markets for Indian goods. In the competition to get access in this market, this new initiative to open up the Silk Route will be a big advantage for India over other competitive powers and multinational companies.

   But, the dynamics of this understanding were not without problems and challenges. Instability in Afghanistan and the stand-off between India and Pakistan has emerged as two major hurdles in the revival of this transport corridor between in this region. Besides, China's interest in reviving this route is also raising many alarming questions.

   In this backdrop, the recent notion of revival of Silk Route, from Indian and Central Asian point of view, will help trade and consolidate linkages and open the way for revive their relations in this changed regional and global milieu. It will open the new way for larger collaboration in this region and not only help trade but also consolidate the cultural affinity of India and Central Asia. It is believed that revival of this route would not only promote the trade between India and Central Asian Republics but would also help Pakistan and Afghanistan benefit from this trade. It would bring much needed money and goods in these states, providing a jolt to the economy and vote of confidence in this war-ravaged region.

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