Abstract
Political histories have their own definitive economic basis. Trade and commerce are the backbone of any economy. So, the history of world politics is inextricably linked with the history of trade and its global impact. The process of economic globalisation is centuries old. It manifested itself in the form of ‘The Silk Road’, the global trade route that connected East to West. The route spanned civilisations, disseminated religious beliefs and interwoven ideas, and became the harbinger of multiculturalism. One of the most important trade routes in world history, the route’s legacy spans continents and centuries, bringing together empires, religions, technologies and philosophies. The Silk Road was a significant part of the development of civilisations of India, China, Persia, Egypt, Arabia and Rome.
This historic route still has the potential to transform the geopolitical and economic landscape. The present book, India and the Silk Road: Exploring Current Opportunities, is a collection of works by distinguished scholars. Edited by Nasir Raza Khan, this book is an attempt to assess the importance of the Silk Route in the present scenario, especially from India’s point of view.
In the introductory chapter, the editor has categorically remarked that this route is re-emerging in a new geopolitical context, with the potential for shared prosperity among the states connected within this route. Keeping in view the quest of the central Asian republics to establish trade, commerce and overall relations with the outside world, it has become imperative for India to deliberate upon the revival of the historical Silk Road.
He analyses that Central Asia can be the answer to the rising demand for oil and gas in India due to its critical importance in geographical connectivity, transportation and trade networks. He has also examined the Central Asian policies of Indian governments from the time of P. V. Narsimha Rao to Modi. The book is divided into three sections.
Gabit Zhumatay has tried to examine the history of the Silk Road and how the revival of the past can help in present and future development in international economy. This essay, titled ‘The Great Civilizations in the Central Asia and the Struggle for Control over the Silk Road in the Middle Ages’, discusses the civilisational value of the Silk Road. The author has divided his essay into two subsections: (a) from the Middle Ages to Fiftieth Century and (b) the Rises of Turkish Diplomatic Relations. He talks about Mackinder’s Heartland Thesis by referring to Central Asia’s geopolitical significance and the impact of Turkish hegemony over this region. He concludes that in the medieval period, the Central Asian Section of the Silk Road was shaped by the clash of civilisations, in which the Persian, Turkio, Chinese, Indian and other civilisations were heavily engaged. This trade route witnessed the struggle for control amongst these countries.
In the second essay, ‘Can Kazakhstan Became a Game Changer of the Silk Route?’ R. G. Gidadhubli is of the opinion that Kazakhstan can play an important role in Central Asian politics. Kazakhstan is the largest country in Central Asia and is also rich in natural resources. The leadership has also taken several policy measures for the development of Kazakhstan as a commercial and financial hub of the Silk Route. Thus, Kazakhstan can play a role of a game changer in Central Asian politics.
Arpita Basu Roy’s essay, ‘Afghanistan and the Silk Road History and Contemporary Dynamics’, traces the reasons why Afghanistan should be included in projects pertaining to the Silk Route. She also gives an insight into US and China’s interests in Silk Road vis-à-vis Afghanistan and argues that the success or failure of the projects initiated by China (One Belt, One Road) and the USA lies in the stability and security of Afghanistan and to overcome the challenges such as local rivalries, logistical roadblocks, security risks and political uncertainties.
In the essay titled ‘Southern Routes of the Great Silk Road: Historical Significance and Future Perspectives’, the author Aliya Khassanova has traced the historical significance and future perspectives of the Silk Roads. She argues that this road not only served as a system of transborder and transnational linkages between Eurasian countries in ancient and medieval times, but it was also a space for the interchange of cultures, religions, ideas and so on, between China, India, Middle Asia and Persia.
According to the author, there are lots of archaeological evidences on trade and cultural linkages along the southern route of the Silk Road, which proves its historical significance for the development and interplay of east, south and middle Asian people. She also writes about the realistic future perspective of the revival of the Great Silk Road.
Sikkim forms an important link as a border state along the Old Silk Route between China and India. Cross-border trade has been intermittently taking place along the Sikkim–Tibet border. Sikkim has also been an old and important border personnel meeting point between the two countries. The chapter titled ‘Mapping the Perceptions along the Silk Road: Case of Sikkim along Indo-China Border’ by Swagata Saha analyses the Sikkimese perception and potential of playing an important strategic component of the dynamic Sino-Indian bilateral relations.
The geographical centrality of Ladakh on the grand Asian circuit of the Silk Route between China and Eastern Mediterranean is traced in the essay titled ‘Centrality of Leh-Yarkand Trade Route on the Asian Circuit by Sunita Dwidedi’. The author has marked several important trade routes through the Ladakh region. One of them was eastern Turkistan, now the Xinjiang region of China through which minerals spices, fruits vegetables, tea and so on, were transported. Buddhist missionaries and pilgrims used the route from Leh along the Indus, Zanskar, Shyok and Nuba rivers, which is evident from the numerous monasteries found on the routes.
Priya Ranjan Kumar has discussed the historical importance of the Gulf Road from India to Iran. He has spoken of traditional threats, including inter-state, intra-state ethnic conflicts, cross-border terrorism and other social conflicts, which have resulted in instability, and the challenges faced by India in its efforts for the revival of this route.
Biswajit Mohapatra has analysed various circumstances concerning the Chinese policy of the New Silk Road and the strategic necessity of India’s engagement of this nature in the essay, ‘India–China Relations and the New Silk Road: Emerging Dynamics and Geopolitical’. If India and China begin closer economic co-operation, it may lead to more political co-operation and a successful resolution of border disputes. Looking at the Russian interest in execution of China’s ‘One Belt, One Road’ policy, India’s role becomes more important. The author suggests that as India is seeking to reach up to East Asia through its ‘Act East Policy’, it become imperative for India to join this initiative.
Vrushal T. Ghoble, in his essay, ‘India, China and New Silk Road: Opportunities for Central and West Asia’, has discussed the impact of globalisation on Silk Road. He argues that in developing countries, where nearby a billion people live below the poverty line, revival of Silk Road can be an answer for a better livelihood. He cautions Indian scholars and policymakers against overlooking the Silk Route project merely because of the presence and interest of China. India can augment and strengthen its regional connectivity and economic growth by choosing to join the Silk Route.
Madhuparna Gupta has explored the geopolitical rivalries amongst the Asian countries along the Silk Route. She has examined how the emergence of Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) in 2001 has unleashed a new history in world politics. A new ‘Great Game’ has replaced the old one, which dominated the nineteenth century world politics. In the essay titled, ‘The Shanghai Cooperation Organization in Central Asia’, the author has analysed the prominence of central Asia in world politics throughout the history.
In recent times, the term ‘One Belt, One Road (OBOR)’ has been one of the most talked-about foreign policy initiatives of China among international foreign policy experts. China means to accomplish connectivity infrastructure and people-to-people connectivity through this project. Kautav Padmapati has raised questions regarding India’s role and interest in China’s policy. He argues that India is yet to choose between the US-led and China-led geopolitical and geoeconomic systems.
‘Religio-Cultural Syncretism: Studying the Significance of the Silk Route’ by G. N. Khaki discusses the process of religio-cultural interaction and commercial enterprise that had already established routes within the civilisation of Islam. The author has also examined the desire of respondents (in a field survey conducted) for the revival of Silk Route and also India’s traditional relationship with central Asia by re-opening the routes connected with the Grand Silk Route.
In the last essay, the author, Varada M. Nikhalje, has provided insightful glimpses into the Silk Route through various folk tales and children’s tales. She insists that the rich culture, inter-relations and economic dimensions of the countries along the Silk Route can be retraced through the rich narratives that have been shared orally across societies over the centuries.
This edited volume contains insightful essays on the historicity and cultural richness of the Silk Road alongwith the geo-political and economic importance of the Silk Road in world politics, both in the past and present.