The recent U.S. initiative to create a trade corridor connecting India, Saudi Arabia, and Europe is a significant indicator of Washington's entry into the global geopolitical competition, albeit with some catching up to do. After two decades of focusing on counterterrorism, the U.S. is now stepping into the modern iteration of global geo-strategy, particularly in the Silk Road region, where it stands to gain substantial geostrategic advantages, Forbes reported.
President Biden's initiation of the U.S.-Central Asia summit (C5+1) with the leaders of Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan during the current UNGA session is a promising move, but the key lies in swift and concrete follow-ups encompassing commerce, security, and investment deals.
The Silk Road region, often referred to as the 'Stans, holds immense geopolitical significance due to its sensitive geographical location. For the U.S., a prosperous and influential Central Asia represents a novel area of concern for Russia and China in their immediate vicinity. This area has historically been exploited by these powers for raw materials without the threat of competition.
With resources like Kazakh oil, Turkmen gas, and Uzbek gold primarily landlocked and subject to the control of neighboring superpowers, the region has been in their blind spot. However, fostering economic and security independence in Central Asia could divert these giants from their ambitions in other directions, be it toward Europe in the west or Taiwan in the east.
Amidst this shifting landscape, the 'Stans themselves have taken significant steps to shape their future. They have united to form a cohesive trading bloc, creating a market comprising 70mn people. This initiative is aimed at avoiding being individually bullied and enticing foreign investment.
Uzbekistan's President, Shavkat Mirziyoyev, played a pivotal role in this endeavor. Under his leadership, there has been a remarkable shift from isolationism, marked by increased business activities, open borders, tourism, and trade. Despite external help, these nations demonstrated the prerequisites for conducting business, including political stability, currency stability, and adherence to commercial rule of law. Notably, Uzbekistan's economy flourished during the COVID-19 pandemic, driven in part by strong gold exports. The future potential, particularly in industries that attract external investment, holds the key to their continued growth.
Uzbekistan, for instance, is well-positioned to become a crucial travel hub in multiple directions, potentially rivaling Dubai, especially as flights over Russian airspace remain embargoed. Additionally, English-language tech colleges are proliferating to support the burgeoning start-up industry and businesses seeking alternatives to Russia and China.
While human rights issues persist in the region, patience and encouragement from the West are essential. Central Asian states, especially Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, have shown significant improvements since the Soviet and post-Soviet eras. Their progress is notable given the challenging neighborhood they inhabit, surrounded by countries where human rights are often disregarded. It's important to recognize the region's vulnerability to externally fueled destabilization, including separatism, religious extremism, cross-border corruption, and disloyal oligarchs. Such forces frequently manipulate human rights concerns to discourage Western engagement.
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