The China-Central Asia Summit: A Signifier of Russia’s Declining Influence?
The first China-Central Asia Summit, hosted in Xi’an, has revealed a new regional dynamic in Central Asia. Aamir Junaid describes China’s strategic positioning in Central Asia amidst the declining influence of Russia in the region.
While Russia’s credibility as a security provider has waned due to the war in Ukraine, China has emerged as a reliable security partner for the former Soviet Republics.
Despite the economic challenges and Sinophobia in the region, the Xi’an Summit has provided insights into China’s quest to become the preferred partner for Central Asia.
Tajikistan’s Geoeconomic Significance: Unfolding New Dimensions
According to certain economic assessments, Tajikistan has had consistent development since the end of the Tajik civil war in 1992, as well as an overall rise in the standard of living and foreign investment.
To Maha Afzal Chaudhary, the country’s great hydroelectric potential and geostrategic significance make it a prominent player in regional affairs.
India and Central Asia: The Strategic Dimension
“India and Central Asia: The Strategic Dimension” presents an Indian diplomat’s perspective on Indian foreign policy. Phunchok Stobdan, the author of the book, analyzes the significance of Central Asia for India and the different ways of connecting the two to solidify India’s regional influence. He evaluates the security challenges in the path of linking India and Central Asia, and proposes solutions to overcome them.
The Trans-Afghan Railway: Connecting Pakistan & Uzbekistan
Culturally, historically, and religiously, Pakistan and Uzbekistan are tied together. Yet, since the two states became independent, they have not been able to establish strong bilateral relations. However, under the leadership of Uzbekistan’s President Shavkat Mirziyoyev and Pakistan’s Prime Minister Imran Khan, new prospects for trade and cooperation have opened up. The author, Zohra Asif, notes that the Trans-Afghan Railway – a 573-kilometer corridor connecting Uzbekistan, Afghanistan, and Pakistan – serves as one such opportunity. She argues that the project will not only link Central and South Asia but also create room for peace in Afghanistan through economic development.
All Eyes on the Republics of Central Asia’s Resources
The onset of the geopolitics of energy and resources in the international political system has redefined the regions’ importance in terms of the reservoirs of resources. Central Asia, in this respect, stands out with its abundant, unexplored, and top-notch natural resources. The paper highlights the factors behind the arousing interests of Pakistan, China, and the United States in the Central Asian republics. The future of Central Asia’s political, economic, and geostrategic landscape shall be determined by the member countries’ course of policies and actions towards Pakistan, China, and the United States.
A Peaceful Afghanistan: The Interest of Pakistan, China, & the Region
Over the years, the state of Afghanistan has experienced terrorism, drug trafficking, human rights abuse, political turmoil, geostrategic and geo-economic tussle, and societal deterioration. The instability in the state has impacted Pakistan, China, Iran, Turkey, and the Central Asian Republics as well. The authors, Muhammad Saad, Eman Anjum, Jizza Babar, and M. Shaheer Khattak, note that for their own interests, these regional states seek a peaceful Afghanistan, the establishment of which is not an easy task. For this reason, they have made efforts to stabilize and develop the war-torn state.
The Cycle of Nepotism & Protests in Kazakhstan
Soaring fuel prices and rising inflation have resulted in mass protests in Kazakhstan. These protests have dominated Almaty, the nation’s largest city, calling for the dismissal of Nursultan Nazarbayev.
Now that Nazarbayev has been removed, will President Tokayev allow Kazakhstan to embrace political liberalization?
Foreign Policy in Central Asia: Discontinuing the Soviet Legacy?
In a world motivated by soft power, states steer and adapt their foreign policies according to the evolving nature of global affairs.
Central Asian states are no exception to this reality, especially since they are motivated by geostrategic and geoeconomic interests.
The shifting world order presents both interests and risks, and hence they must carefully design their foreign policies – and hedge their bets. Image credits: U.S. Department of State | Flickr
Pakistan: The Gateway Between South Asia and the Central Asian Republics
Since Pakistan is located at the crossroads of Central Asia and South Asia, any development in the two regions has direct implications for it. At the same time, Pakistan’s geographical location enables it to act as a bridge between the Central Asian Republics and the South Asian states. The author, Hajra Sajjad, notes that through trade agreements and cooperation in security-related areas, the regional connectivity between the two states can be increased. She further states that strengthening the ties between the two states will counter India’s increasing influence in the regions, providing the states of the regions with some relief.
China and the United States’ Pandemic Diplomacy in Central Asia
The coronavirus pandemic has set the course for pandemic diplomacy, a strategy that could reinforce the soft power image of the state wielding it. The author reports the pandemic diplomacy taking place in the Central Asian states, with both China and the United States competing to gain the upper hand in this new area of diplomacy.
The Strategic Importance of Central Asian States
At the center of the interests of major powers lies Central Asia, a region rich with untapped energy resources and economic markets. The author explains that while the region has immense potential for transnational and international cooperation, the security challenges and instability it faces, make it difficult for the Central Asian states to develop. Furthermore, the continuing instability has made foreign interventions almost necessary for these states.
Eurasian Economic Union and Central Asia: Connecting the Dots
The Eurasian Economic Union is an organization that is composed of some of the former members of the Soviet Union. Its influence in Central Asia is believed to have been Russia’s calculated scheme to regain its control and influence in the region. However, both China and the United States are seeking to build their footprints in Central Asia.
Chinese and Russian Relations in Central Asia
The paper explores the Chinese and Russian relations in the context of Central Asia as well as the possibility of future cooperation.
Neutrality Day: Turkmenistan’s Pride
Neutrality day celebrates the neutral policy of Turkmenistan; it has become the state’s distinctive feature. The policy encompasses non-interference and neutrality with respect to other states.
Sino-Russian Relations and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization: The Tides of Power
Sino-Russian relations have witnessed strengthened ties, both using the Shanghai Cooperation Organization as a tool to achieve their ambitions.