India's Look North Policy

The active engagement of India towards the Central Asian region started in the post 2000 era, which is referred as India's proactive policy towards Central Asia or "India's Look North Policy".This Look North Policy brings India closer to Central Asian countries. The active engagement of India in Central Asia is growing rapidly in the post 2000 era, from an insignificant US$ 43.96 million trade turnover with Central Asia in the year 1996, which reached US$ 518 million by the end of 2009. Among the Central Asian countries Kazakhstan occupies an important position located in the ¿Heart of Eurasiä. It is the 9th largest country in the world in terms of its territory and is rich in vast natural resources. one of the strategic landmarks which opened the gates for India and Kazakhstan is the signing of Strategic Partnership agreement in 2009. Later on the signing of India-Kazakhstan nuclear cooperation agreement in April 2011 is one of the biggest achievement for India in Central Asia. The presence of external powers in Central Asia is one of the biggest hurdle for India in Central Asia.