With Russia deeply embroiled in a protracted conflict in Ukraine and increasingly reliant on China for resources, Beijing is swiftly expanding its influence in Central Asia, a region that was once firmly under the Kremlin’s control.
Russia is pushing back against this encroachment.
This week, as the leaders of Central Asian nations convene with the presidents of China and Russia in Astana, the capital of Kazakhstan, China’s ascendant presence in the region is palpable. The construction of new rail networks and other infrastructure projects, coupled with the escalation in trade and investments, reflects Beijing’s deepening footprint.
Xi Jinping, China’s leader, was greeted in Astana by flag-waving Kazakh children singing in Chinese. He commended the enduring friendship between China and Kazakhstan as a bond that has spanned generations.
President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia also arrived in Astana for the start of the summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, where he met with Mr. Xi, according to Xinhua, the state-run news agency.
Previously focused primarily on security matters, the forum now prominently features Beijing’s dominance and serves as a platform for China and Russia to assert their ambitions of redesigning a global order largely shaped by the United States.
Established by China and Russia in 2001 with countries like Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization has expanded to include nations such as Pakistan, India, and Iran.
Despite China’s strengthened economic influence in Central Asia, it faces diplomatic challenges as Russia seeks to sway the group’s balance in its favor.
The presence of Belarus’s leader, Aleksandr Lukashenko, at the summit signals a potential victory for the Kremlin, as Belarus is anticipated to be named a full member of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization.
India’s absence from the summit, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi opting to visit Moscow instead, underscores Russia’s ability to cultivate its diplomatic relationships independently from Beijing.
The evolving dynamics in Central Asia reflect India’s growing apprehension towards the region’s shifting power dynamics.
Russia’s participation in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization is a strategic maneuver to counterbalance China’s burgeoning influence in the region.
The diverging economic strengths of Russia and China make direct competition in Central Asia impractical for the Kremlin, leading to collaborative efforts to maintain regional stability.
Russia and China navigate a delicate balance of cooperation and competition in Central Asia to safeguard their interests and withstand external pressures.
The summit in Astana serves as a platform for the consolidation of regional ties and the pursuit of strategic objectives amidst a backdrop of geopolitical complexities.
