India, April 14 -- Deepening economic ties with each of the five Central Asian Republics is feasible and would be rewarding.

At the present juncture, none of the five Central Asian Republics represent a strategic market for the distant Americas or the developed Western Europe. Their geographical remoteness, small population, low household incomes, and the high cost of doing business tend to keep them away. However, for nearby China, as well as Iran and Turkey, such disadvantages are relatively manageable. Besides the historical trade connections, Central Asia's energy and mineral resources hold attraction for them. Also, the import baskets of each of the five nations are easy to meet, particularly for China, the world's largest manufactu...