Abstract
The countries of Central Asia, namely Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan, have witnessed a unique economic trajectory. After the dissolution of the Soviet Union, the countries have experienced a transition from a centrally commanded economy in the Soviet era to a market economy. The paper aims to understand the economic challenges faced by Central Asian countries and argues that the economies and politics of the Central Asian Republics are closely intertwined. The central question the paper seeks to address is: What economic challenges do Central Asian countries face? How has the change in political rule impacted the economies of Central Asian countries? Is the approach of political economy applicable to Central Asian countries? The paper also seeks to understand how India’s relations in the region have evolved. The paper suggests that a determined approach to addressing economic problems must acknowledge the 1country’s political economy context, and that India’s Connect Central Asia policy will strengthen ties and foster mutual growth between the countries.
Keywords:
Economic problem, Political Economy, Central Asia, Modernisation, Connect Central Asia Policy, Transition economy
