In an interview with Fikrat Shabanov, President of the Consultations on International Policy and Economy analytical center, Nargiza Umarova, Senior Research Fellow at IAIS, touched upon a wide range of topics related to transport geopolitics in Central Asia. Ms Umarova explained in detail the nature and significance of transport corridors in international relations, emphasizing their dual function as a tool for economic integration and a means of geopolitical influence. Particular attention was paid to the Middle (Trans-Caspian) Corridor, which, according to her, is becoming increasingly strategically important against the backdrop of the weakening of the northern route passing through Russia and Belarus due to sanctions pressure.
Ms Umarova described how countries in the region, particularly Uzbekistan, are using current geopolitical challenges as a window of opportunity to develop new routes. The middle corridor, running through Kazakhstan, the Caspian Sea, Azerbaijan, Georgia and Türkiye, has become the main focus of modernization and digitalization, facilitated by research from the World Bank and the EBRD. According to her assessment, Azerbaijan plays a key role in the infrastructure link between Central Asia and Europe thanks to the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars projects and the modernization of the port of Alat.
An equally interesting topic was the development of the southern route connecting Uzbekistan with the ports of Pakistan via Afghanistan. Umarova specifically noted that the initiative to create the Trans-Afghan railway belongs to Uzbekistan and was launched even before the Ukrainian crisis. This project is seen not only as a way to diversify export routes, but also as a means of strengthening Uzbekistan's geo-economic significance. It provides the region with access to the Indian Ocean and an alternative to Iranian and Russian routes, which is particularly relevant in light of sanctions and instability.
The interview also touched on the political and logistical nuances of supplying strategic goods, such as uranium from Uzbekistan to France. Ms Umarova emphasized that despite restrictions related to Azerbaijan’s position and geopolitical tensions, deliveries via Russia continue, as rail links are still functioning. An important part of her speech was devoted to the idea that small states such as Uzbekistan can be independent initiators and actors in logistics strategy, rather than merely objects of external influence.
In conclusion, Nargiza Umarova pointed out that modern competition in transport policy goes beyond the traditional understanding of infrastructure — it includes digitalization, tariff harmonization, environmental aspects and political stability. The formation of sustainable, multi-variant logistics links is becoming a priority for Central Asia, and the ability of the countries in the region to act in a coordinated manner will determine whether they can turn their transit position into a strategic advantage.
* The Institute for Advanced International Studies (IAIS) does not take institutional positions on any issues; the views represented herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the IAIS.
