By: Trishnakhi Parashar, Research Analyst, GSDN
Resting at the heart of Eurasia, Central Asia has long been more than just a geographic expression— it is a strategic location, deeply rooted in history and instrumental in the rise of great powers. In 1991, as a consequence of the collapse of the Soviet Union, the five Central Asian Republics (CAR): Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan emerged as independent and sovereign nations. The region is phenomenally rich in culture and natural beauty, economically vibrating corridor between Asian and European nations and remains undeniably crucial in global geopolitics.
Whenever, the topic of discussion is Central Asia, two theories are bound to emerge. First is, Sir Halford Mackinder’s “Heartland Theory”. He was a British geographer who argued that Eurasia was the core of world power and Central Asia its “geographical pivot” or “Heartland”. According to him, whoever controlled this Heartland, could dominate the “World Island” and shape global politics. Years later, Nicholas Spykman, a political scientist shifted the focus to the role of maritime/sea-power in his “Rimland Theory”. To him, “Who controls the Rimland rules Eurasia; who rules Eurasia controls the destinies of the world”— basically focused on coastal Eurasia and Central Asia remained crucial region as a connector between Heartland and Rimland.
In terms of location, Central Asia usually covers a vast area extending from the Chinese border in the east to the Caspian Sea in the west, and from Russia in the north to Iran and Afghanistan in the south. The five states together cover a large landmass. Since the era of the historic Silk Road, Central Asia continues to be a land of great significance for traders and invaders throughout history. The region functioned as a vital channel for transportation of fabrics, such as cotton, wool, linen and particularly silk from China to the West and vice versa. Cities like Samarkand and Bukhara, became prominent centres for trading textiles. Central Asia and neighbouring region’s traders also imported a wide variety of spices along with tea, carpets and rugs. Central Asia region was also a gateway in circulating papermaking and printing technology that invented in China, that revolutionized the way knowledge was recorded and spread. Along the way, the region also emerged as a prime source of transition in multiple domains of knowledge combined with religious sciences and architecture. Beyond transportation of goods, the legacy of Silk Road remains significant, in terms of cultural development, knowledge exchange and most importantly connecting civilizations. Thus, Central Asia’s role as a vibrant bridge between diverse cultures is still undoubtedly relevant in contemporary times.
In the present context, Central Asia is still considered as a strategically productive region, and thereby acquiring privileged status in contemporary geopolitics. Potential source of energy resources like oil, natural gas, coal, minerals along with its growing role in transcontinental trade corridors substantially contribute to its significance. Particularly rare earth materials demand is increasing in Western industries. Almost 18 out of the 30 rare earth materials that is vital for the EU economy are produced only in Kazakhstan, including titanium, niobium beryllium, and tantalum. In fact, Kazakhstan is also the largest producer of uranium in the world, 43% of global production in 2022. After the collapse of USSR, in terms of petroleum and natural gas production, four Central Asian countries – Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan were quickly considered a good alternate to Russia. Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan have considerable energy resources and production. To put that in perspective, Kazakhstan’s oil reserves amounted to 30 billion barrels as of January 1, 2025. Turkmenistan proved natural gas reserves valued at approx. 71.5 billion barrels, makes it the fifth-highest in the world. In the meantime, Turkmenistan is the world’s 11th-highest natural gas producer, and Uzbekistan was the 17th-highest natural gas producer in 2023.
The Central Asian nations are also evolving in green energy with major focus in solar, wind, and hydrogen. There are also discussions going on regarding water diplomacy. Transboundary climate change, water and environmental challenges in Central Asia, rises the need of cooperation. Leaders from Central Asia had raised concerns over the Aral Sea crisis and climate change at global forums, accentuating the sustainable use of water and other natural resources, as well as risk reduction of water-related challenges. Western collaboration with Central Asian nations, whether public or privet, in developing sustainable energy production not just uplifts their regional initiatives against climate change but also ensures energy security in the global level. So, even from the perspective of green energy and sustainable development Central Asian states are very important.
The regional dynamics, however have been reshaped by recent developments, such as the Russia-Ukraine conflict and China’s growing economic domination etc. China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) is a comprehensive strategy that includes Central Asia to boost regional cooperation by promoting infrastructure and economic integration. China’s heavy investments in Central Asian states have acted as a catalyst, propelling significant growth, economic development and strengthening regional connectivity. One such strategic development is the newly launched China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway line, likely the route of economic breakthrough for the Central Asian region. Such initiatives have led to increased transport efficiency, reduced costs, and increased bilateral trade among states. Due to its location, the region became a geostrategic backbone of the BRI, while also reshaping China’s influence across the region. Such crucial changes have caught the attention of other powers.
Recognizing the strategic need of connectivity, these states are actively working on developing their regional connectivity and infrastructure. Central Asia, in this regard seeks to maintain closer economic and diplomatic ties among neighbouring countries and beyond the region. Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (TITR) is an integral multimodal transport route joining China and Southeast Asia to Europe via Central Asia, the Caspian Sea, the Caucasus, and Turkey through a network of railways, highways, and maritime routes. Central Asian corridor is arguably the most potential hub for trade and investment— attracting sustainable growth and prosperity for the entire region. Improved connectivity accentuates other region’s presence, to influence and firm stance across the Central Asia.
To further increase engagement with foreign nations, these states created the C5+1 platforms, that connects the five Central Asian states with partners such as Japan, followed by the US, the EU, Russia, and China and so on. In 2024, the US also launched the B5+1 forum, in order to boost economic integration.
Over the past few years, the region has witnessed several internal and external changes, that have contributed to its evolution into its current form. It was once part of Soviet Socialist Republics governed by the Communist Party of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR). Initially, these newly independent nations were deeply dependent on Russia for institutional and economic stability. Simultaneously, their leaders reinvented their roles and authority for strengthening their power over their land. The region carries a profound historical and cultural imprint left by the Mongols and Turks and with the spread of Islam, it became a vibrant catalyst, driving the rise of prominent centres of knowledge during the medieval times. This legacy not only shaped the identity of Central Asian nations but also position the region as a pivotal point for transformation and exchange.
These days, Central Asia has gained attention and importance across the world in light of the Ukraine war. The major cause for such a growing interest is the notion that estimated fading influence of Russia on Central Asia. Such estimation currently intensified a kind of inevitable competition among a number of Russia’s competitors to deepen ties with the Central Asian nations. Several states like–the United States, Turkey, Germany, France, India etc. have started to intensify their engagements with the CAR region in various means to expand their influence.
Amidst the changing political dynamics, these states navigate through a series of complex decisions in order to protect their sovereignty and secure economic gains by carefully managing their relations with major powers. They also need to address internal issues as well. Central Asian states occasionally witnessed large-scale border related, security and anti-governmental protests. However, these states are relatively stable and coordinated.
Central Asia still does not have a regional organisation. Across the world, regions have established notably strong organisations like the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in the Southeast Asia, the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) in North America or the African Union (AU) in Africa. But in Central Asia, there are only regional institutions, established with specific goals/objectives prompting greater prosperity but, limited in scope and often dominated by the neighbouring great powers.
Another issue in the region is water sharing and border disputes. Rapidly melting glaciers, overexploitation of Amu Darya and Syr Darya rivers, water sources cross national boundaries and, dam construction etc contribute to disputes. Competition over water rights has led to clashes, prominently in the Fergana Valley and other transboundary areas. Parallelly, with poorly demarcated borders turned irrigation disputes into broader border conflicts. People in Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan, living near the water bodies have been forced to leave as a result of environmental degradation and related socio-economic issues. Similarly, armed clashes also have erupted between Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan around a major cross-border water supply facility.
From the security and stability perspective, Central Asian Republics occupy a pivotal position in the wider Eurasian region. Their proximity to Afghanistan exposes them to a number of serious cross-border challenges such as terrorism, violent extremism, and drugs trafficking, particularly Afghan heroin flowing continually through Central Asia into Russia and Europe with authorities seized less than 3 percent.
As matters stand, Central Asia continues to grapple with terrorism. Numerous cases of terrorist acts committed by Central Asians outside of the region, for instance- Karachi airport in Pakistan in 2014, Istanbul in 2017, and the Moscow concert hall attack on March 2024. It appears that Central Asians have been involved in extremist activities at the global level, but such incidents within the region itself remain rare.
Surely, Central Asia is actively combating extremism, and other geopolitical vulnerabilities, but many unavoidable internal issues, governance, social grievances, and reliance on external powers limit the effectiveness of these measures.
However, the five states have become more unified and active on the international platforms. They, in fact, openly discuss and comment on world events. Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan have all publicly supported a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Similarly, they also supported peaceful resolution of on-going Israel-Iran crisis, to maintain regional stability. With so many crisis-like situations going on in the world and having experienced major shifts in its own political environment, the region is currently less tense and much more cooperative in political, diplomatic and economic spheres, than in the years immediately following its formation.
In the past couple of years, the geopolitical situation in the Central Asia region has been rapidly developing in the course of many events. Most Central Asian states seek to pursue a so-called diversified foreign policy, focusing on multilateral approach, remaining open to function with different actors. However, unlocking the region’s full potential requires very strategic collaboration among states, regional institutions and external partners. The evolvement of Central Asian states from a well-known crossroads to being a modern-day geopolitical hotspot, highlights their ever-growing importance in world order.
In conclusion, the world to a great extent, is turning towards a multipolar order. Engaging with each other is not only important but a necessity. And within this evolving world order, Central Asian states have assumed a vital position and their importance/influence on global affairs is continuously growing almost by default. The region’s strategic position and their existing resources play a decisive role in influencing outcomes. Natural resources have become a strong asset for the growth of the Central Asia. Since 1990s, the United States has sought to divert the oil and gas flows away from Russia. However, the greater part of their produced oil and gas is now going towards China, making it a vital ally of the Central Asian states. In this context, Russia’s involvement in Ukraine conflict, provided China with a window to seize more economic opportunities and influence over the region. Observing these shifts in the geopolitical scenery have led numerous actors to re-adjust their approaches in Central Asia. Central Asian states are also becoming more and more careful on guiding through the complexities of the region and work accordingly.
About the Author
Trishnakhi Parashar is an enthusiastic and dedicated learner with a Master’s degree in International Relations/Politics from Sikkim Central University. Her academic journey is further enriched by a certification in Human Rights and Duties, a Postgraduate Diploma in Human Resource Management from Tezpur University, and a Diploma in International Affairs and Diplomacy from Indian Institute of Governance and Leadership.
Having begun her career at Tech Mahindra, Trishnakhi transitioned into the research field to pursue her deep-rooted passion for international affairs. She is currently interning at Global Strategic and Defence News, where she continues to refine her analytical skills. Her core interests include international relations, terrorism, diplomacy, and geopolitics—fields she explores with rigor and critical insight. Trishnakhi is committed to meticulous research and driven by a determination to contribute meaningfully to global discourse. With a vision to carve out her own niche, she aspires to leave a lasting impact on contemporary international issues.
