Moscow's indigenous population could be Central Asian by 2050 - political expert

Uzbekistan and Tajikistan are embarking on a significant diplomatic journey as President Shavkat Mirziyoyev recently undertook a state visit to Tajikistan from April 17-19, 2024.  In light of this visit, Daryo spoke with key figures, including Abdulla Abdukadirov, the first deputy director of the Agency for Strategic Reforms under the President of Uzbekistan, and Oybek Sirojov, a political scientist.

There's this concept in theory called "creeping migration." Essentially, as the number of migrants increases in any country, over time, the people who came from outside become the indigenous population. It's actually an opportunity for us. With many Central Asians settling in Russia during this period, if we keep it up, by 2050, the native population of Moscow might be predominantly Central Asian.

However, Abdukadirov offered a counterpoint, emphasizing how smaller nations integrated into empires tend to adopt the spirit of the empire, illustrating this with historical examples from Tsarist Russia, where individuals from minority groups such as Jews and Armenians played significant roles as nationalists and imperialists. 

"Essentially, those who become part of the empire start living with that spirit and sometimes even become leaders of imperialism, influencing others with the empire's values," stated Abdukadirov.

Experts also describe, how individuals from Central Asia, upon assimilation, may become Russian citizens and imbibe the Russian spirit and values. While acknowledging the potential transformation, concerns were raised about the preservation of national values amidst assimilation. The example of individuals like Nishanov (Former Chairman of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the Uzbek Soviet Socialist Republic), who migrated to Russia but maintained ties with their homeland, underscored the complex interplay between assimilation and the retention of cultural identity.