July 2015

PM visit to Central Asia and Russia

PM to visit Central Asia and Russia on eight day tour. In Uzbekistan, PM interacted with Indologists. In Kazakhstan,PM launched first exploratory drilling of Satpayev oil block by OVL and KazMunaiGaz. OVL brought 25% share of the block in 2011 and is investing $400 million for exploration in the block.

Background:

1. Central Asia comprises of five countries namely, 1.Kazakhstan 2.Kyrgyzstan 3.Tajikistan 4.Turkmenistan 5.Uzbekistan.
2. The Borders of Central Asia are Caspian Sea in the west, China in the east, Russia in the north and Afghanistan in the south.
3. Central Asia is also called as Middle Asia, stans or Turkestan.
4. Central Asia and Russia are combinedly called as the Great Pivot by Halford Mackinder in his Heartland Theory. According to the theory, the power which controls Central Asia-rich in natural resources-shall ultimately be the empire of the world.
5. All Central Asian countries are part of erstwhile USSR.
6. Lal Bahadur Shastri died in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. LBS gave the call 'Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan'