China’s Silk Road Economic Belt and the Shifting Balance of Power in Central Asia: A Case Study of Uzbekistan’s Foreign Policy Realignment

Abstract

China’s Silk Road Economic Belt (SREB) has emerged as a transformative force in the geopolitical landscape of Central Asia since its inception in 2013. While the existing literature has evaluated the economic impact of the mega-project, research on the foreign policy adjustments of the individual states has been limited. This paper explores how Uzbekistan reorients its foreign policy approach in response to the SREB, balancing the US, China and Russia. It also discusses the opportunities and challenges presented to the recipient state in the milieu of SREB. This study discusses the shifts in the foreign policy of Uzbekistan since its independence in 1991. Furthermore, it also aims to highlight the role of SREB in the changing geopolitical dynamics and shifting balance of power in the region. The data used in this paper is collected from different secondary sources like books, articles etc. and the design of the research is case study. This study infers that SREB has made Uzbekistan transform its foreign policy from isolationism to economic engagement and regional integration. Although some concerns regarding debt trap are there, but the region is experiencing a clear shift in the balance of power due to increasing economic of China. This research contributes to the emerging geopolitical dynamics of Central Asia and foreign policy realignment of individual states in response to these shifts