From the ancient Silk Road to modern corridors, Central Asia has always been a center of power interests. Its natural resources, oil and gas reserves, and its location at the crossroads of East and West have always kept the region in the global spotlight. This is the same region where Russia’s historical influence, China’s economic presence, and now the US’s diplomatic framework — the C5+1 Diplomatic Platform — are all working together to find a new balance.
The Formation of the C5+1 Diplomatic Platform
Formed in 2015, this framework includes the five Central Asian states of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan, along with the United States, with the apparent aim of coordinating regional cooperation, energy, trade, and security. Speaking of its establishment and evolutionary journey, the first meeting of its member states in the C5+1 was held on September 22, 2015, during the United Nations General Assembly in New York, while the first formal meeting was held on November 1, 2015, in Samarkand (Uzbekistan). T
he declaration issued after the meeting emphasized regional self-reliance, stability, economic connectivity, and joint cooperation on environmental challenges. Later, summits were held in Washington in 2012, Tashkent in 2018, Kazakhstan in 2022, and New York in 2023. The New York Declaration recognized security, energy, and economic stability as three fundamental pillars. From the perspective of American objectives and strategy, for the United States, new dimensions of stability in Central Asia are actually linked to regional self-reliance and a balance between Chinese and Russian influence. Washington is presenting this platform as an “alternative path” for the region through investment, environmental cooperation, and the establishment and revitalization of new trade corridors.
Expanding U.S. Economic Presence in Central Asia
Toward these goals, the United States is focusing on expanding its economic presence, particularly with countries that possess natural resources that are fundamental to energy and industrial production. U.S. investment in these sectors has increased significantly in recent years, reflecting its long-term commercial and technological objectives in the region.
Trade Growth and Strategic Connectivity
According to U.S. trade data, total annual trade volume with Central Asia has been growing steadily over the past few years, with the largest share coming from countries whose economies are central to the region. This dispels the impression that the United States has a merely diplomatic presence here—in fact, it is solidifying its position as an active trading and investment partner.
The Middle Corridor and Washington’s Strategic Goals
Furthermore, the US is prioritizing the TITR (Trans-Caspian International Transport Route) or Middle Corridor, which would channel a large portion of land trade between China and Europe through Central Asia. This corridor not only reduces dependence on routes dominated by Russia and Iran but also provides Washington with an alternative route for Eurasian connectivity.
Regional Disputes and Challenges to Cohesion
However, some long-standing disputes within the region between the Central Asian states themselves, such as water sharing, border demarcation, energy resource disputes, and tribal influences, also pose a challenge to US interests. These disputes pose obstacles to regional cohesion, which could affect the practical implementation of the C5+1 framework and the continuation of US goals. It is a delicate balance for Washington to secure its long-term interests while strengthening relations with these states. The establishment of this forum is not the result of a sudden move, but rather a gradual diplomatic process, the goal of which is to create a coordination framework parallel to the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and Russia’s economic hegemony in the long term.
Washington Summit and Shared Vision for the Future
In this vein, the C5+1 summit in Washington in November was presented by the US as a new diplomatic milestone. The agenda of the summit is to focus on economic partnership, energy security, and the challenges of climate change in the region. Washington hopes to present a new declaration titled “Shared Vision for the Future of the Region,” which could lay the foundation for the next phase of US partnership with the Central Asian states. Thus, when we look at the counter-strategies of China, Russia, and Iran, it would not be wrong to say that China, Russia, and Iran are already responding to this US strategy in their respective spheres of influence.
China’s Belt and Road Expansion in Central Asia
China expanded its Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) to the region soon after the establishment of the C5+1, and accelerated investment in infrastructure, railway, and energy projects in Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Turkmenistan. In 2023, China established a parallel platform of this kind through the “China–Central Asia Summit”, which is based on the principle of regional ownership and “equal development”.
Russia’s Security and Economic Influence
Russia focused on strengthening its influence in the region through the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) and the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU). Russia remains a key security partner for the Central Asian states — especially in the context of the border situation in Afghanistan and counterterrorism.
Iran’s Strategic Trade and Energy Links
Iran has signed transportation, energy, and trade agreements with Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan to strengthen ties in Central Asia, and has directly connected the region to the Middle East, India, and the global market through the Chabahar Port and the North-South Corridor, making Iran a strategic trade and energy hub.
Cold War Dynamics in Central Asia
A question arises: is this the starting point of the Cold War of global and regional powers in Central Asia? Central Asia today is an arena where major powers are active in an indirect Cold War environment, and each country is taking different steps for its economic, trade and security interests. China is investing in infrastructure, railways and energy projects through the Belt and Road Initiative to strengthen trade routes and maintain economic influence in the region. While Russia is maintaining influence in the region by strengthening political and defense relations through the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and the Eurasian Economic Union, especially in the context of security and counter-terrorism.
Turkey’s Cultural and Economic Outreach
Iran maintains its commercial access to the region through energy, transportation, and trade agreements, connecting it to the Middle East and global markets through the Chabahar Port and the North-South Transport Corridor. Meanwhile, Turkey is trying to strengthen economic and cultural ties with Turkic states based on linguistic and cultural ties and trade relations.
Pakistan’s Role as a Natural Bridge
Pakistan serves as a natural bridge between Central Asia and South Asia. If peace is established in Afghanistan and the Afghan government maintains good relations with Pakistan, Pakistan’s land access can play a key role in making trade and economic links with Central Asian states more effective and cost-effective. Pakistan’s coastal ports provide the closest, easiest, and least expensive route to Central Asia, which could prove crucial for energy and trade exchange.
India, on the other hand, has historical and commercial ties with the region and is trying to expand trade access to Central Asia via Iran, but its access is limited due to regional rivalries and geographical complexities. All these activities can be seen as an unarmed cold war, where each power is taking economic and commercial measures for its own goals, but there is no direct conflict.
Balancing Power and Stability in Central Asia
Now, finally, the question arises whether no power can achieve absolute supremacy in Central Asia, because the deep roots of China and Russia, the regional affiliations of Iran and Turkey, the geographical importance of Pakistan, India’s limited access, and the diverse economic thinking of the Central Asian states, including the growing trade with the United States, all combine to create a balance that is decisive for the stability and development of the region. If all powers prioritize mutual respect, economic cooperation, and internal stability of the region, Central Asia can become a hub of energy, trade, and peace.
But that will not happen because America has always spoken in the language of power. Behind the scenes, it has always kept its interests in mind. Now America has once again awakened to India’s embrace, keeping its interests in mind. It will find a new way of blackmailing, while China and Russia have always rejected the language of blackmail and power.
For climate-related stories, visit: The Green Post
