Hamedia: Washington "Central Asia-US" Summit: An Important Step in Re-shaping the Geopolitical Landscape of Eurasia

Kazakh International News Agency, November 6 - The second "Central Asia-US" (C5+1) summit will be held in Washington. This mechanism has long gone beyond mere regional dialogue and has become an important window to observe the new geopolitical landscape of Eurasia. As noted by the commentator of Kazakh International News Agency, the current world order is accelerating its transformation, and Central Asia is increasingly becoming a key node for strategic convergence among major global powers.

Why are Major Powers Paying Attention to Central Asia?

The special significance of the "Central Asia-US" summit lies first in the unique geographical location of Central Asia. Currently, Eurasia is undergoing multiple complex geopolitical changes: the relationship between the US and Russia swings between easing and tension, the US-China trade friction has somewhat eased but still carries uncertainty, and the situation in the Middle East continues to affect the global scene. All these processes have a direct impact on the political and economic structure of the Eurasian region.

In this context, the interest of major countries in Central Asia is growing. Central Asia is not only the central area of Eurasia, but also an important hub for emerging transnational transportation corridors. With the promotion of projects such as the Belt and Road Initiative, the "Middle Corridor," and the "North-South Corridor," the locational advantages of Central Asia are further highlighted.

For all parties, Central Asia not only has potential for economic growth, but also plays an increasingly important role in global supply chain restructuring and trade diversification. Therefore, the competition and cooperation around this region are intensifying simultaneously.

Transport Corridors: The Key to Connectivity across Eurasia

Since the dissolution of the Soviet Union, Central Asia was once seen as a geopolitical island. However, now, land corridors connecting Asia and Europe are reviving this region. Whether it's cross-border railways and natural gas pipelines leading to South Asia through Afghanistan, or multiple land transport routes connecting China, Russia, and Europe, they are all driving the formation of a new regional economic pattern.

China, Russia, the European Union, and South Asian countries are all actively participating in this process. Experts believe that if globalization falls into a low tide under the influence of trade protectionism, internal trade within Eurasia is expected to become an important force in maintaining global economic connections. And Central Asia is at the center of this change, gradually becoming an important link between China and Europe, and between Russia and South Asia.

C5+1: A New Model of Regional Cooperation

The emergence of the "Central Asia-US" mechanism is closely related to the maturity of relations among Central Asian countries. Over the past decade, the five countries have continuously strengthened coordination based on common interests and formed consensus on many regional issues. This laid the foundation for the C5+1 mechanism.

This mechanism was first initiated in 2015 in the form of foreign ministers' consultations, and has now been upgraded to summits at the level of heads of state. Its core significance lies in the fact that Central Asian countries have begun to engage with the outside world with a unified regional stance, rather than relying solely on bilateral diplomatic channels. This marks the enhancement of political trust among Central Asian countries and reflects the entry of regional cooperation into a new stage.

Although the C5+1 is not a binding alliance, it reflects practical cooperation among Central Asian countries based on common interests. Countries still maintain independent foreign policies, while coordinating positions on key areas such as transportation, energy, and economic security.

Among them, Kazakhstan's role is particularly prominent. As the largest economy in the region, Kazakhstan has invested heavily in infrastructure construction and has shown an active coordinating role on the international diplomatic stage. In particular, President Tokayev's long-term experience in diplomatic affairs and familiarity with multilateral mechanisms has made Kazakhstan play a key role in promoting C5+1 cooperation.

Multilateral Balance: Central Asia's Strategic Choice

Since the dissolution of the Soviet Union, Central Asia has always been a focal point of great power rivalry. China, Russia, the United States, the European Union, India, Iran, Turkey, and Gulf countries have all laid out their strategies here. Faced with a complex international environment, Central Asian countries generally adhere to a "multilateral balance" foreign policy, seeking a balance between maintaining sovereignty and development interests.

Now, the C5+1 mechanism can be seen as a new stage expression of this multilateral policy. The participation of major powers in this mechanism essentially means the recognition of the principle of multilateral diplomacy in Central Asia.

In 2025, Central Asia will frequently interact with multiple partner mechanisms: On October 9, the second "Central Asia + Russia" summit was held in Dushanbe; on June 17, the second "Central Asia + China" summit was held in Astana; and in early April, the "Central Asia + Europe" summit was held in Samarkand. These meetings together constitute a new pattern of Central Asia's diplomacy.

The Geopolitical Significance of the Washington Summit

The upcoming Washington summit, hosted by US President Trump, has once again drawn global attention. Analysts believe that this meeting not only symbolizes the US returning to the core of Central Asian geopolitical issues, but also demonstrates its continued interest in Eurasian affairs. Although after the US military withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021, some people thought the US had "left" Central Asia, the facts show that the US still considers this region a strategic priority.

This summit follows shortly after President Trump's visit to South Korea and his meetings with Chinese and American leaders, indicating the US desire to seek balance and coordination in global affairs. The signals of easing in the US-China relationship have also created a more stable external environment for the US to cooperate with Central Asian countries.

For the five Central Asian countries, the Washington summit is an important opportunity to further consolidate the achievements of regional integration and promote cooperation on transportation corridors and connectivity. Along with previous summits held in cities such as Astana, Dushanbe, Samarkand, and Xi'an, it jointly confirms the rising status of Central Asia in the new geopolitical and geoeconomic landscape.

Original: www.toutiao.com/article/1847938402106368/

Statement: The article represents the views of the author.