Central Asia’s Multi-Vectored Foreign Policy: Lessons for Post-Soviet States

The leaders of five Central Asian nations recently met in Xi’an, China, for the first-ever C+C5 summit. The ‘Xi’an Declaration,’ which was adopted as a result of the meeting, highlighted the Belt and Road Initiative as a new launching point for China-Central Asian relations. The central Asian nations, on the other hand, have effectively carried out a multi-vectored foreign strategy, balancing their contacts with numerous regional and global powers.

The C+C5 summit is what?

China and the five Central Asian countries of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan are both represented by the abbreviation C+C5, which stands for China plus Central Asia.

The C+C5 summit’s goal is to improve ties and cooperation between China and these Central Asian nations.

The first C+C5 summit took place in Xi’an, China, and resulted in the signing of the ‘Xi’an Declaration,’ which outlines the shared vision and goals for China-Central Asia cooperation.

Complex Regional Dynamics of Central Asian countries

Geopolitical Competition: China’s growing influence in Central Asia can be seen as a challenge to Russia’s historical dominance in the region. This geopolitical competition between the two powers shapes the dynamics of China-Central Asia relations.

Multi-vector Engagements: Central Asian countries pursue multi-vectored foreign policies, engaging with various regional and international powers. This approach allows them to maintain balanced relations and leverage different partnerships to their advantage.

Regional Cooperation Organizations: Central Asian countries are members of various regional cooperation organizations such as the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) and the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO). These organizations influence the dynamics of regional interactions and shape cooperation initiatives.

Economic Interests: China’s economic investments and infrastructure projects in Central Asia, driven by the Belt and Road initiative, have both positive and complex implications for the region. Balancing economic benefits with potential dependencies and competition is crucial for the Central Asian countries.

Historical and Cultural Connections: Central Asia shares historical and cultural ties with both China and Russia. These historical connections influence the perceptions, interactions, and priorities of the countries involved, impacting regional dynamics.

Balancing Global Engagements: Central Asian countries navigate their relationships with major global powers, including the European Union, the United States, and regional actors such as Turkey. Balancing these engagements is necessary to safeguard their interests and maintain stability in the region.

Afghanistan’s Impact: The situation in Afghanistan has implications for regional dynamics in Central Asia. Stability and security concerns in Afghanistan directly affect neighboring countries and influence their interactions with external powers.

Significance of C+C5: Strengthening China-Central Asia Relations

‘Xi’an Declaration: The C+C5 summit held in Xi’an, China, served as a platform for leaders from China and the Central Asian countries to discuss and strengthen their bilateral relations. The summit resulted in the signing of the ‘Xi’an Declaration,’ which laid out a blueprint for future cooperation.

Belt and Road Cooperation: The summit focused on the 10th anniversary of the Belt and Road initiative, emphasizing its role as a new starting point for China-Central Asia cooperation. The Belt and Road initiative aims to enhance connectivity and promote economic development through infrastructure projects.

Cultural Silk Road Program: The ‘Cultural Silk Road’ program was discussed during the summit, which aims to enhance cultural cooperation, preserve shared heritage, and promote cultural exchange between China and Central Asian countries.

China-Central Asia Summit Mechanism: The establishment of the China-Central Asia Summit mechanism during the summit paves the way for future biennial summits between the participating countries. This institutional framework ensures regular high-level engagement and facilitates ongoing cooperation.

Prioritizing Adolescent Girls’ Nutrition: Unlocking India’s Full Potential

Future Indian prosperity depends on adolescent girls’ health and development. Adolescence is a pivotal time for cognitive development, making better nutrition access during this time essential. We can realise the full potential of the girl kid by correcting any nutrient inadequacies that were picked up during the early developing stages.

Increasing Nutritional Issues

High Anaemia Prevalence: According to India’s National Family Health Survey-5 (2019–21), a startling 59.1% of adolescent females are anaemic. Their success in school and the development of their cognitive abilities are both hampered by anaemia, in addition to their general health.

Over 41.9% of Indian schoolgirls are underweight, according to the NFHS-4 data, and over 41.9% of them are malnourished. Girls who are malnourished lack the key nutrients they need for healthy growth, development, and overall wellbeing.

Menstruation-Related Nutritional Challenges: The onset of menstruation poses specific nutritional challenges for adolescent girls. The increased nutrient requirements during this phase, coupled with inadequate access to nutritious food and hygiene products, further exacerbate the risk of undernutrition and anemia.

Impact on Cognitive Development: Poor nutrition during adolescence can have long-lasting effects on cognitive development, affecting academic performance and limiting educational attainment. This hampers opportunities for employment and economic self-sufficiency later in life.

Increased Risk of Chronic Diseases and Pregnancy Complications: Undernourished adolescent girls are at a higher risk of developing chronic diseases and experiencing complications during pregnancy. This not only burdens families and communities with healthcare costs but also leads to financial instability and increased poverty.

Impediment to Women’s Labor Force Participation: Adolescent health serves as a significant indicator of women’s long-term participation in the labor force. Improved nutrition during adolescence enhances the prospects of young girls to engage in productive activities, contributing to economic growth and development

Long-term Consequences of Neglecting Nutrition among adolescent girls

Academic Performance and Educational Attainment: Poor nutrition during adolescence can lead to cognitive impairments, affecting academic performance. Malnourished girls may struggle to concentrate, learn, and retain information, ultimately limiting their educational attainment.

Economic Self-Sufficiency: Limited educational attainment and reduced job prospects due to undernutrition can impede economic self-sufficiency for adolescent girls. They may face challenges in finding stable employment and earning a sufficient income, perpetuating cycles of poverty and dependence.

Health Consequences: Undernourished adolescent girls are at a higher risk of developing chronic diseases, such as diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular disorders, later in life. Poor nutrition during this crucial developmental phase also increases the likelihood of experiencing complications during pregnancy

Inter-generational Cycle of Malnutrition: Neglecting the nutritional needs of adolescent girls perpetuates an inter-generational cycle of malnutrition. Malnourished girls are more likely to give birth to undernourished babies, continuing the cycle of poor health and nutrition from one generation to the next.

Increased Healthcare Burden: The long-term consequences of undernutrition, including chronic diseases and pregnancy complications, impose a significant healthcare burden on both families and communities. The cost of treating and managing these health issues places additional strain on healthcare systems and can lead to financial instability for families.

Social Participation and Empowerment: Adequate nutrition plays a vital role in enabling individuals to actively participate in society. Undernourished adolescent girls may face limitations in engaging in social and community activities, including work, politics, and community involvement.

What needs to do to address these challenges?

Policy and Programmatic Interventions: Governments should prioritize nutrition interventions for adolescent girls by developing and implementing policies and programs that specifically target their nutritional needs.

Convergence and Collaboration: There should be effective convergence and collaboration among various government departments and stakeholders involved in nutrition and health programs.

Awareness and Education: Comprehensive awareness campaigns and nutrition education programs targeted at adolescent girls, their families, and communities should be implemented.

Strengthening Health Systems: Health systems should be strengthened to effectively deliver nutrition interventions to adolescent girls. This includes training health workers to provide appropriate counseling, screening for nutritional deficiencies, and ensuring the availability of necessary supplements and treatments.

Research and Data: There is a need for continued research and data collection on the nutritional status of adolescent girls. This data should be disaggregated by various parameters such as age, location, and socio-economic background.

Empowering Girls: Empowering adolescent girls is essential for their overall development and well-being. This can be done by providing opportunities for education, skill-building, and economic empowerment. Empowered girls are more likely to prioritize their own health and nutrition and become agents of change within their communities.

Partnerships and Investments: Public-private partnerships and investments from both domestic and international stakeholders are crucial for scaling up nutrition interventions for adolescent girls.

Need for the Strategic Modifications and Collaborations

Integration of Government Initiatives: Various government initiatives targeting adolescent girls’ nutrition should be integrated and coordinated to ensure comprehensive coverage and avoid duplication. For example, the Scheme for Adolescent Girls (SAG) can be brought under the umbrella of the Prime Minister’s Overarching Scheme for Holistic Nutrition programme (POSHAN) 2.0, facilitating a more cohesive and synergistic approach.

Strengthening Awareness and Nutrition Education: Targeted adolescent-oriented schemes, such as the Rashtriya Kishor Swasthya Karyakram (RKSK), should incorporate robust awareness and nutrition education programs. Integration of behavior change communication (BCC) efforts can generate greater demand and promote the adoption of good nutrition practices.

Collaborative Efforts for Convergence: Effective convergence and collaborations among relevant departments and stakeholders are crucial. This includes collaboration between the health, education, and women and child development departments to ensure a coordinated approach.

Regional Contextualization: Social and Behavior Change Communication (SBCC) efforts should be tailored to the regional context and cultural nuances to ensure better acceptance and uptake of nutrition interventions. Collaboration with local community leaders, influencers, and organizations can help in designing region-specific interventions and strategies.

Lessons of Indo-US Cooperation in Agriculture

The Soviet Union’s role: Through the use of technology and capital equipment, the Soviet Union helped India become more industrialised.

Contribution of the United States: The United States helped India’s agricultural growth along with the Rockefeller and Ford Foundations.

Industrialization’s Impact of the Soviet Union

Collaborations with the Soviet Bloc: Key industrial facilities and institutions were established in India as a result of collaborations with the Soviet Bloc.

Examples include the steel mills in Bhilai and Bokaro (built in the 1950s), the refineries in Barauni and Koyali, Bharat Heavy Electricals, Heavy Engineering Corporation, Mining & Allied Machinery Corporation, Neyveli Thermal Power Station, Indian Drugs & Pharmaceuticals, and the prospecting and drilling for oil in Ankleshwar.

US’s Contribution to Agricultural Development

Lesser-known involvement: The United States, along with the Rockefeller and Ford Foundation, played a crucial role in India’s agricultural development during the 1950s and 1960s.

Assistance provided: The US supported areas such as agricultural education, research, extension services, and technology transfer.

US Land-Grant Model

Visit to US land-grant universities: In 1950, Major H.S. Sandhu and Chief Secretary A.N. Jha visited US land-grant universities for inspiration.

Proposal for integrated agricultural universities: The visit inspired the recommendation to establish integrated agricultural universities in India.

Establishment of UP Agricultural University: The UP Agricultural University was established in the Tarai region of Uttar Pradesh and inaugurated by PM Jawaharlal Nehru on November 17, 1960.

Expansion of Agricultural Universities

Publication of blueprint by ICAR: The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) published a blueprint titled “Blueprint for a Rural University in India” in the late 1950s.

Financial assistance: The United States, through the USAID, provided support for the establishment of agricultural universities in India, starting from the late 1950s.

Collaboration with US land-grant institutions: Agricultural universities in India established in the late 1950s and early 1960s were linked with US land-grant institutions for expertise and curriculum design.

Green Revolution under M.S. Swaminathan

Characteristics of traditional varieties: Traditional wheat and rice varieties were tall and prone to lodging when the ear-heads were heavy with well-filled grains.

Introduction of semi-dwarf varieties: Semi-dwarf varieties with strong stems that tolerated high fertilizer application were developed in the 1960s.

Development and distribution of Norin-10 genes: The Norin-10 dwarfing genes played a significant role in the development of high-yielding wheat varieties in the 1960s.

Introduction of Seeds to India

Correspondence with Vogel and Borlaug: M.S. Swaminathan contacted Orville Vogel and Norman Borlaug in the late 1950s.

Arrival of Mexican wheat varieties: Mexican wheat varieties, sent by Borlaug, were first sown in trial fields in the early 1960s and later adopted on a large scale in India.

Transition to self-sufficiency: India transitioned from being a wheat importer to achieving self-sufficiency in wheat production in the mid-1960s.