Leaders from Russia, Turkey, Iran, and Pakistan are all making visits to Central Asia as they seek to expand their influence in the traditionally Russia-dominated region. On Thursday, Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in Kazakhstan’s capital, Astana, for talks with President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev. This visit follows a recent trip by French President Emmanuel Macron, demonstrating a surge in international engagement with the region.
Meanwhile, Turkish leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, and Pakistani Prime Minister Anwaar ul Haq Kakar are due to attend a regional economic summit in Uzbekistan. This flurry of high-level engagement showcases the growing interest in partnerships with Central Asian nations as Russia’s influence in the region diminishes.
The leaders’ engagements come at a time when global powers, including China, the European Union, the United States, Iran, and Turkey, are all vying for influence in Central Asia. China’s Belt and Road Initiative has made it a key player in the region, while other countries are seeking trade and economic partnerships with Central Asian nations.
The summit in Uzbekistan is expected to focus on trade, humanitarian cooperation, and transport. Central Asian countries are looking to gain access to sea routes and are eyeing partnerships with countries like Pakistan for this purpose. Despite Russia’s waning influence, it remains a key partner in the region, renewing investments in energy sectors and discussing projects like nuclear power plants and hydroelectric projects.
In the midst of these diplomatic engagements, the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas is likely to be on the agenda, with Erdogan, a vocal critic of Israel, expected to broach the topic. Overall, the flurry of diplomacy in Central Asia reflects the region’s increasing openness to new partnerships and international engagement.