Recent developments in Kyrgyzstan are in no small measure due to the rivalries between Great Powers in the region, though they also indicate that major powers broadly agree that whatever their differences, they should remain united against the spread of Taliban-style extremism in Central Asia. Barely twenty minutes' drive from the Kyrgyz capital of Bishkek is a Russian military base at Kant, described by Russian Defence Minister Ivanov as 'a deterrent to international terrorism'. A short drive away is a neighbouring air base at Manas, leased to the Americans, for their operations in Afghanistan. After the Kyrgyz government threatened to close down the Manas base in February 2009, differences with the Americans were settled following behind-the-scenes tripartite negotiations involving the Russians, Americans and the Kyrgyz. The Russians, however, made their point that the Americans could sustain their military presence in Central Asia only with Russian support. Moreover, while there may be some justification in allegations that the Russians fostered the ouster of former President Bakiyev in April this year, both the Americans and Russians share a common interest in ensuring that the ensuing ethnic violence between the Kyrgyz and Uzbek communities is swiftly ended.

Responding to American moves to dilute their influence in Central Asia, Russia and China established the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO). Russia sought to counter efforts to activate NATO along its borders with the establishment of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO). The SCO was founded in 2001 and its members include Russia, China, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan. While the SCO has indicated that it has no plans to become a military bloc, it does recognise that threats of 'terrorism, extremism and separatism' necessitate the involvement of armed forces. India, Pakistan and Iran are 'observers' to the SCO. The SCO has envisaged the establishment of joint energy projects involving the exploration and production of hydrocarbons. With growing doubts about American will and ability to stay the course in Afghanistan, India may well become a member of the SCO in coming months.

Problems of access to the landlocked countries of Central Asia have necessarily limited India's trade and economic cooperation with Central Asia. As Pakistan has refused it transit facilities, India has signed agreements with Iran and Russia for transport corridors to the Central Asian states and the Caspian. Ties with Central Asian States have been strengthened in recent years. Following exchanges of high-level visits, India is providing technical assistance to the Central Asian states in areas ranging from information technology to the pharmaceutical and steel industries. The Zaranj-Delaram road constructed by India in Afghanistan now links India and Afghanistan through the Iranian port of Chah Bahar and provides access to Uzbekistan through Mazar-e-Sharif. Economic ties with Kazakhstan have also grown in recent years. An inter-Governmental Agreement on nuclear cooperation covering the supply of uranium ore by Kazakhstan and the construction of nuclear reactors by India is to be signed shortly, together with a commitment of Indian investment in the mining sector. Moreover, the two countries have agreed to conclude an agreement shortly between India's Oil and Natural Gas Commission and Kaz Munai Gas, on oil exploration and production of the Satpoyev Oil Block. India has depended on the Aini Air Force Base near Dushanbe and an outpost it set up in Farkhor on the Tajik-Afghanistan border, to assist the Northern Alliance and for relief supplies to Afghanistan.

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