Washington-The dream of connecting landlocked Central Asia more closely to South Asia and the international trading system was focused after a two-day meeting hosted by Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoev in Tashkent last week.

About 50 countries and more than 30 international organizations participated, including China, Russia, the United States and the European Union. The rally was probably the largest ever to promote economic integration. Yet experts warn that high levels of involvement must translate into concrete investments in order to bring economic benefits.

For Uzbekistan, a “reliable, stable and predictable partner who is interested and committed to constructive cooperation based on mutual benefit,” said Mirjiyoev, strengthening relations with neighboring countries. He said it was a top priority.

Inspiring a shared history and values, Mirjiyoev encouraged closer partnerships. “Without closer economic relations and ties, this part of the world and the Eurasian continent cannot be transformed into a stable and prosperous space. “

Edward Lemon of Texas A&M University says Milzijoev’s “militant foreign policy” helps reopen borders and expand trade by tackling “regional issues, especially the difficult situations in Afghanistan.” ..

Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said the United Nations will support these efforts, as connectivity is essential for trade, growth and sustainable development.

“But connectivity isn’t just about economics. It promotes regional cooperation and fosters friendships between neighbors, ”Guterres said at the conference during the video appearance.

“This further underscores the importance of active and collective involvement in supporting peace and security in Afghanistan.”

Afghan President Ashraf Ghani finds himself in an increasingly unstable situation in the face of the Taliban’s march towards Kabul. But he flew to Tashkent, declaring: “The political resolution of the conflict was the priority of our country. Sovereignty, unity, democratic, peaceful and connected Afghanistan have been recognized internationally and locally. I underlined.

Afghan President Ashraf Ghani will speak at the Central Asia-South Asia Connection Conference in Tashkent, Uzbekistan on July 16, 2021 (president.uz)

The Crab called for urgent action to form a regional consensus. “Approach Afghanistan according to its potential as a roundabout in Asia, which has served as a hub for civilization, culture, goods, ideas and the flow of people for thousands of years.”

Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan signed an agreement with Uzbekistan worth $ 500 million for trade, transport, visas, security and cultural cooperation. “People and Central and South Asia rich in natural resources can create huge markets for products and services,” he said.

Uzbekistan President Shavkato Mirjiyoev will host Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan at the Central Asia-South Asia Connection conference in Tashkent on July 16, 2021. (president.uz)

Lemon highlighted the potential benefits of a new transport corridor that provides access to landlocked Central Asian ports and more than 1.5 billion South Asian consumer markets while promoting energy exports.

“Trade with India, Pakistan and Afghanistan remains negligible compared to trade with China, Russia and the EU in Central Asia,” he said.

Tashkent and Islamabad have high hopes for a proposed railroad from Termez in southern Uzbekistan through the Afghan cities of Mazar-i-Sharif and Kabul to Peshawar in Pakistan and port cities on the Arabian Sea in Karachi, Gwadar and Binkasim.

Josep Borrell, EU Senior Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, also said, highlighting the strategic position between Europe and South Asia in Central Asia.

“Connectivity, stability and security are mutual preconditions. The EU strongly supports the new spirit of cooperation in Central Asia, which contributes to the formation of its own connectivity agenda, ”Tashkent said. Tweeted from.

The Washington-led C5 + 1 Forum with Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan also confirmed its commitment to strengthen trade, transport and energy ties in Tashkent on July 15. The group also stressed the need for security and stability through peace talks in Afghanistan.

Evan Faigenbaum of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace oversaw US policy toward Central Asia during the George W. Bush administration, a time when Washington actively promoted connections between the two regions. He praised Tashkent’s efforts, but said previous initiatives over the past three decades were often inadequate. According to him, one of the reasons is opposite to Uzbekistan, and Tashkent’s change of mind is a significant change.

But Fagenbaum sees other obstacles. Private capital flows declined sharply between 2015 and 2018, with most never reaching Central Asia. In recent years, foreign direct investment in developing countries has also been sluggish.

Washington wants to raise primarily private capital, but much of that cross-border money goes to other areas instead. This is one of the reasons why China, which has sent billions of dollars to the region mostly on a bilateral basis, is a bigger player, he said.

“Preventing a country from dominating central Eurasia is a big strategy in the United States,” Frederick Starr, a Central Asian Caucasus Institute conference participant in Washington, told The Wall Street Journal on July 12. It should be a strategic goal. . “

He and Hudson Institute co-author Mike Doran convince Central Asian leaders that the United States and the West are the power consumed by China, Russia and Iran thanks to the American withdrawal from Afghanistan . I’m writing this.

“Central Asia… is a strategic unit whose leadership has a major impact on the balance of power in the world. Washington’s goal is to enable states in all regions, including Afghanistan, to maintain a balanced relationship between the great powers. It is to be done. “

In a July 9 article published in National Interest, Star and Uzbek co-author Eldor Alipov, head of the state’s leading think tank, called for C6 + 1 with the addition of Afghanistan.

“The momentum for regional integration expectations is currently coming mainly from countries in the region, not from outside forces,” said Jennifer Murtazashibiri of the University of Pittsburgh.

For Murtazashvili, the real “new silk road” must be driven from within, not from outside the area. Yet it is the outside forces that have the capital to invest.

This is why Tashkent’s credible commitment to deepen reforms is important, she said.

“While connectivity is touted as a way to stabilize Afghanistan, roads, railways and pipelines cannot be built without stability,” the Kabul pledge said. Afghanistan is faced with the question of the chicken or the egg. There is no stability or investment. However, investing can help bring stability.