The Evolution of India’s Foreign Policy towards Central Asia

　　ABSTRACT: The evolution of India’s foreign policy towards Central Asia has three specific stages since the five Central Asian states got their independence. In the first stage (from 1991 to 1998), the objective of India’s policy was to establish diplomatic relationship and to lay foundations for further development. In the second stage (from 1998 to 2001), India tried to make the Central Asian countries strategic partners to develop its economy and against terrorism and racialism. In order to strengthen bilateral political, economic and cultural relations, India has been enlarging investment and paying more attention to this region since 2001, and India’s influence in Central Asia has been increasing significantly. Though India’s relation with Central Asia encounters some barriers, the trend of India’s involvement in Central Asian affairs deserves more attention.