Why in news
- India is aligning its Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) diplomatic engagements with planning for the BRICS Summit and its campaign for the 2028-2029 UNSC non-permanent seat.
- Efforts are underway to reinvigorate institutional formats such as the long-pending India-Central Asia Summit.
What is the Context?
- India actively utilizes regional forums like the SCO to engage Central Asian republics, Iran, and key regional powers.
- Diplomatic focus centers on energy security, regional connectivity projects such as INSTC, and multilateral governance reform.
Key Diplomatic Objectives
- Strengthening bilateral and regional links with Central Asian states, missing formal summit-level meetings since 2022.
- Laying diplomatic groundwork for India's candidature for a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council for the 2028–2029 term.
Why it matters
- Highlights India's strategic balance between Eurasian integration forums (SCO, BRICS) and global governance platforms (UNSC).
- Vital for continental security, counter-terrorism alignment, and trade connectivity routes into Eurasia.
Key terms
UNSC Non-Permanent Seat
Ten seats on the UN Security Council elected by the General Assembly for two-year terms.
INSTC
International North–South Transport Corridor connecting India to Central Asia and Russia via Iran.
Prelims facts
- India seeks a non-permanent term on the UN Security Council for the 2028-2029 tenure.
Mains discussion
- Analyze the strategic significance of Central Asia to India's extended neighborhood policy and regional diplomacy.
Source: The Hindu
Same topic · past papers
UPSC has asked this before
These previous-year questions sit on the same topic. Open one to practise the earlier ask.
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2015 · Q18 · GS II · 12 marks
Discuss the impediments India is facing in its pursuit of a permanent seat in UNSC. -
2025 · Q97 · General Studies · 2 marks
Consider the following statements with regard to BRICS; I. 16th BRICS Summit was held under the Chairship of Russia in Kazan. II. Indonesia has become a full member of BRICS. III. The theme of the 16th BRICS Summit was Strengthening Multiculturalism for Just Global Development and Security. Which of the statements given above is/are correct? -
2015 · Q57 · General Studies · 2 marks
India is member of which among the following? 1. Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation 2. Association of South-East Asian Nations 3. East Asia Summit Select the correct answer using the code given below -
2024 · Q10 · General Studies · 2 marks
Consider the following information : Region Name of the mountain range Type of mountain 1. Central Asia Vosges Fold mountain 2. Europe Alps Block mountain 3. North America Appalachians Fold mountain 4. South America Andes Fold mountain In how many of the above rows is the information correctly matched ? -
2018 · Q10 · GS II · 10 marks
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.