| Publication |
2014.
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| Summary/Abstract |
In a global milieu where traditional interstate diplomacy is often forced to underplay critical dynamics such as the role of culture, education, entrepreneurship and tourism in bilateral ties, there is a need to establish other channels of communication and interactions between States. These are not seen as alternatives but as complementary modules for enhancing cooperation between States. The India Central Asia Foundation's (ICAF) expedition through Central Asia covering the three countries of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic and Uzbekistan qualifies as a worthy endeavour premised on this principle of Track II diplomacy. The driving expedition was organised by the ICAF during September 18 - October 05, 2013. The 16-member expedition covered 5700 km in three countries - Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic and Uzbekistan in 18 days. The team brought various skills to the venture, from knowledge of the history of
the places to politics and economics. It included people who could speak the local languages. The members left New Delhi on September 18, 2013 by Air Astana and reached Astana via Almaty the same day at 21:30 hrs (Kazakhstan time). During the seven day expedition in Kazakhstan, the destinations covered were Astana, Karaganda, Balqash, Taldyqorgan, Jarkent, Khorgos (including Khorgos in Xinjiang province of China also) and Almaty. The next three days (Sept 25-27) were spent in Bishkek and Osh in the Kyrgyz Republic. We covered Andijon, Ferghana, Kokand, Tashkent, Samarkand, Bukhara, Khiva (Khwarizm) and Urgench in Uzbekistan during the next 8 days.
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