The Theory and Practice of Identities: South vs. Central Asia (with special emphasis upon India and Kazakhstan)

Cultural and civilisational stratum of existence of South and Central Asian regions and separate states associated with the numerous manifestations of identity (ethnic, confessional, linguistic, etc.) appears an important component of their political, social and economic being at the internal and external levels. At the same time, in the countries of these two regions, there are elements of both similarities and differences in the identity-related sphere that allows performing a look-through comparative-contrasting analysis of their complexes of identities on the basis of correspondence/incongruity to various theories, as well as of actual practice of their materialisation. In this regard, it is viable to discuss issues such as the identity theories in applications to the realities of South and Central Asia, the exposure on and specifics of implementation/non-implementation of the conflict potential of identities in both regions and the transfiguration of identities under the influence of mutual migrations. Immediate positive experience and best practises of implementing the identity policy in the two regions with particular emphasis upon India and Kazakhstan also deserve special attention.