THE JOURNAL of CENTRAL ASIAN STUDIES Volume: XXI 2014 ISSN: 0975-086X
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THE JOURNAL OF CENTRAL ASIAN STUDIES Volume: XXI 2014 ISSN: 0975-086X Chief Editor Prof. G. N. Khaki Editor Prof. G. M. Mir Associate Editors Dr. M. Raffiudin Makhdumi Dr. Darakhshan Abdullah Dr.Dr. Mohammad Tareak A. AfzalRather Mir Dr.Dr. Tareak M. Afzal A. Rather Mir Technical Assistance Nazir A. Doshab Dr. Fayaz A. Loan Centre of Central Asian Studies University of Kashmir Srinagar, J&K, India © Publisher, Centre of Central Asian Studies, University of Kashmir. No part of this Journal may be reprinted in original or translated without the explicit permission of the Publisher. The views expressed in this volume of the Journal are opinions of contributors and can not be associated with the Publisher or Editorial Board. The Journal is peer reviewed, refereed and indexed in EBSCOhost and ProQuest. The Journal is also available online through EBSCO Host Database: Political Science Complete on web.ebscohost.com; and on the University of Kashmir web page http://ccas.uok.edu.in. Scope of the Journal: The Journal welcomes original papers on any aspect of Central Asia, preferably, contemporary problems and emerging regional issues. ISSN: 0975-086X Year : 2014 Price: ` 900 / $ 20 Printed at Mehak Printing Press, New Delhi, India. Contents Editorial i-iii Contributors v-vi Afghanistan Factor in Indo-Central Asian Relations Muzammil A. Dar 1-12 China’s Changing Strategic Engagements in Central Asia M. Monir Alam 13-36 Relations of Neolithic Kashmir with South and Central Asia A Comparative Analysis of Material Culture from New Sites in Kashmir Mumtaz A. Yatoo Aijaz A. Bandey 37-46 Socio Economic Impact Of Climate Change in Aral Sea Basin G. M. Shah 47-57 Strategic Significance of Central Asia in 21st Century S. Showkat Dar 59-67 The New Silk Road Strategy Revisited Tabasum Firdous Firdous A. Dar 69-79 geopolitics of Transport China’s Strategy for Resource Access in Central Asia Nidhi 81-99 United Nations And Central Asian Region Developmental Initiatives with Focus on Uzbekistan Oybek Abdimuminov 101-107 Medical Geology A Case Study of Kashmir M. Yaseen Bhat Riyaz A. Mir 109-118 Energy Resources Of Central Asian Republics An Analysis in Market Demand M. Ibrahim Wani M. Afzal Mir 119-128 Agrarian Question in the 18th Century Central Asian Peasant Revolts Imtiyaz Shah 129-137 India’s Afghan Policy Prospects and Challenges Ashfaq M. Ali 139-148 Area Study Centre (ASC) Centre of Central Asian Studies University of Kashmir, Srinagar Director J&K, India Editorial n the fast changing global order, the persisting dichotomy in geopolitics of resources, routes and relations which can lead to lopsided and unsustainable development, has to be addressed Iproperly. The true spirit of development can be attained by basing it on the carrying capacity of ecosystem which represents a state of economy where demands placed upon the environment by people and industry can be met without jeopardizing the interests of future generations of all species. This is more applicable to Central Asian region which has a fragile environment, lower technological infrastructure and transitional residue. Such precautionary geo-economic and geopolitical regional scenario formed the agenda of the first “International Conference on Sustainable Development in Central Asia.” Since then the Central Asian region is struggling hard to follow the path of ‘development without destruction,’ resolving domestic issues and, simultaneously, improving international relations, in order to contribute towards realizing the dream of “Asian Century” which, in turn, can boost regional development of Central Asia. Although some strategic analysts argue that facts need to be kept in proper perspective while dubbing 21st century as Asian Century but this is also a fact that Asia-centric world marked by a new power equation, capable of transforming the world order, has not only been viewed by some Western strategists and think tanks but ADB alongwith some other reliable sources, have predicted that Asia which is in the midst of a truly historic transformation, has the capacity for accounting more than half of global domestic product, trade and investment by 2050, if it grows on the recent trajectory. Some Asian giants are playing a magnificent role in Asia’s image boosting. Integration of South Asia and Central Asia which is opinioned as one of the components necessary for Asian unity, merits plausible because of its most discernible-cum- decisive advantage owing to less areas of conflict between two regions and having less fair of mutual domination. In this regard, India which is emerging as a fast growing economy, has a vital role to play by striking a balance in its dealings because South Asian countries form Tele/Fax: 0194-2414553 Cell: +91-9419073297 e-mail: [email protected] its neighbours, with China and Pakistan as its immediate ones, while Central Asia constitutes her extended neighbourhood. India’s Connect Central Asia Policy (CCAP), her Look East Policy (LEP) and Look West Policy (LWP), alongwith fresh overtures of its Low Politics Approach (LPA), albeit after a lull, plus its efforts of changing the mindset of market operators and attracting the foreign investors in its urge of ‘Make in India’ initiative – all is going to shape the region as a power centre. The new dispensation has increased the enthusiasm among all the stakeholders within and outside country which can turn India a trade hub with a focus on area-specific development with horizontal- vertical visionary matrix. Such initiatives will revolutionize its socio- economy and will help in achieving the globalization goals in a desired manner and speed. Similarly, the strategic triangle formation by China, Japan and India; co-operative development efforts of India and Russia; joint ventures and mega projects of 21st century; fostering some effective regional organizations; some dividends of incredible Asian nations and a positive attitude towards improving bilateral, trilateral and multilateral relations, are bound to make Asia a centre of gravity. In this developmental model, Central Asia which is a promising region, has also much to offer. The region can be considered trustfully as a better alternative for growing world energy demand, both renewable as well as non-renewable. In addition, it is a unifying region perpetuated by eco-cultural forces, crisscrossing old and new Silk Route – a major connect with the world, in its revised form. But in order to achieve its own developmental goals and contribute towards Asian progress, Central Asia has to overcome bottlenecks it confronts with. Some of the regional problems have been inherited in legacy while others are the product of change. Hence, for ushering in peace, the only savior, pooling physical and non-physical resources as well as fair treatment to the residue emanating from developmental process, should go side by side. As a corollary, the chances of success are infinitely greater subject to a holistic secured view. Yes, there are some areas of divergence also, but keeping in view the new phase of globalization which has brought changes in policy framework giving more role to private capital, market forces and specialized economic zones, at least a ‘formula of working relations’ can be worked out. Since, in the highly interdependent world, regional cooperations are emerging as significant factor in the international politics and economic arena, the pooling of resources and relations is the only alternative which is in the interest of all stakeholders. Central Asian region is facing a number of problems, both at domestic as well as at international front. Some of the major problems pertain to resource imbalance, border disputes, diaspora issues, trade imbalance, investment challenges, trans-border water management, ethnic clashes, illegal trade, drug trafficking, environmental degradation, terrorism, disaster management, non-payment issues resulting in ii agreement failures, skewed production pendulum, post-2014 Afghan scenario. Indo-Pak parleys, locational benefit / disadvantage dilemma, trust-deficit, commissioned / proposed transport corridors, energy pipelines, new Silk Route politics, inter / intra-regional bikrings, various prespectives of different countries on Central Asia and the interests they have in the region etc. Some of the above-mentioned issues have been discussed in this volume by young and innovative researchers who have tried to give fair treatment to the respective problems. Ofcourse, reality is extremely complex and the theory simplifies by generalizing it in an effort to explain and make reality comprehensible. The scholarly aptitude of the contributors will definitely help the subsequent scholars and inspire all stakeholders to further investigate and analyze various facets for human welfare and sustainable development of the region. However, the Editorial Board is not responsible for the views expressed by the contributors. (Prof. G. M. Mir) Editor iii Contributors Prof. Aijaz A. Bandey (Archaeologist) Former Director, Centre of Central Asian Studies University of Kashmir, Srinagar, J&K, India e-mail: [email protected] Dr. Oybek Abdimuminov (Contemporary Historian) Institute of History, Academy of Sciences Tashkent, Uzbekistan e-mail: [email protected] Mr. Muzammil Ahad Dar (Political Scientist) Department of Politics and International Studies Pondicherry University, India e-mail: [email protected] Dr. Mohammad Monir Alam (Historian) Department of Strategic and Regional Studies University of Jammu, J&K, India e-mail: [email protected]