The New Great Game and Russian Interest in Central Asia

Abstract

This study focuses on the importance of Central Asian Republics, politically economically and geo-strategically. The main concentration of the study is on the new great game and the Russian interest in the region. Strategically Central Asia is of great significance due to its geographic location. It is of great economic interest for great powers. Central Asia is rich in terms of natural resources. It has great stock of natural gas and oil, the main interest of three of these great powers; Russia, US and China is basically in Central Asia’s natural resources i.e. oil and gas resources. These states want to benefit their regions with Central Asia’s resources. This is the reason that these states are striving hard to make strong bond with the Central Asian states. These three countries are of great competition to each other. Russia and China collaborate with each other just to push USA out of the game. USA cannot let any other state to take over its title of being a super power. Russia and China do have competition in the region too but this collaboration among two states is just because of the USA’s involvement in the region. So precisely, Russia and China has formed an alliance against USA. Russia’s major interest in Central Asia is peace and stability of the region. As it share borders with Central Asia so Russia wants to keep the region terrorism free. It also wants to keep its political and military influence in the region. This would evidently improve Russia’s position As well.