TFIGlobal
TFIGlobal
TFIPOST English
TFIPOST हिन्दी
No Result
View All Result
  • Indo-Pacific
  • Americas
  • Canada
  • Indian Subcontinent
  • West Asia
  • Europe
  • Africa
  • The Caribbean
TFIGlobal
  • Indo-Pacific
  • Americas
  • Canada
  • Indian Subcontinent
  • West Asia
  • Europe
  • Africa
  • The Caribbean
No Result
View All Result
TFIGlobal
TFIGlobal
No Result
View All Result
  • Indo-Pacific
  • Americas
  • Canada
  • Indian Subcontinent
  • West Asia
  • Europe
  • Africa
  • The Caribbean

Russia is on a deal-making spree with Central Asian powers and China is left clueless

Abhyoday Sisodia by Abhyoday Sisodia
May 27, 2021
in Geopolitics
Russia, China, central Asia
Share on FacebookShare on X

The situation in Central Asia can flare up any moment as soon as the US leaves Afghanistan and realising this, Russia has got on a deal-making spree with the Central Asian powers, which have traditionally been under the influence of Russia itself. Russia has performed large-scale joint military exercises, signed new military cooperation agreements, and taken steps to integrate its air defence system with its Central Asian neighbours over the last month. These moves, according to Moscow, are intended to assist Central Asian states in combating terrorist threats emerging from Afghanistan.

Russian President Vladimir Putin is using the current disruptions in the Middle East to make sure he can re-establish the strong position of Moscow that it has enjoyed before the consistent encroachment by Beijing. “Russia is primarily interested in strengthening its military and political clout in Central Asia, the soft underbelly of the Russian Federation,” said Andrei Serenko, head of the Center for the Study of Modern Afghanistan. “The situation in Afghanistan is viewed first and foremost as a threat capable of jeopardizing Russia’s influence in the region,” he added.

Also Read

Estonia to host NATO’s F-35 nuclear capable jets to encircle Russia, as Moscow prepares its response

Is Eutelsat the Strategic European Alternative to Starlink?

Russia takes on the West at the UN, calls reports of “nuclear Iran” baseless and fake

Russia still has a substantial military presence in Central Asia over 30 years after the Soviet Union fell apart. Moscow is the region’s main arms provider, with forces stationed in Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan. These three Central Asian republics are also members of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), a military alliance led by Moscow that includes other post-Soviet governments.

A bilateral relation, which was keeping a façade of friendship to keep common enemies at bay, seems to have been going through a series of new permutations and combinations. The Russians under Vladimir Putin are trying their hardest to keep the Chinese attempt to weaken them geopolitically at a minimum. The fact that Russia has reclaimed Central Asia from China via its vaccine diplomacy seems to be a good sign. However, Beijing is steadily keeping its efforts up to make Russia a second fiddle in what it calls a strategic partnership. China has also gotten involved in the internal political tussle of the Russian Republic and TikTok is providing a platform to foment the pro-Navalny protests across Russia.

Read more: While Russia reclaims Central Asia from China, Beijing is mounting a massive economic and political offensive

The Chinese Communist Party simultaneously has continued its efforts to replace Russia as the major influential nation in the region. In late April, Russia held a large-scale exercise with Tajikistan involving over 50,000 military personnel and 700 units of military hardware, ranging from fighter jets and tanks to rocket launchers and artillery. The drills took place near Tajikistan’s southern border with Afghanistan and centred on a border breach scenario.

Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu came to Tajikistan a few days after the drill ended to sign an agreement to develop a combined air defence system. Shoigu also made a stop in Uzbekistan, where he announced the first-ever four-year “strategic collaboration” agreement between the Russian and Uzbek military ministries. The Kyrgyz Defense Ministry stated on Monday that the country would hold a joint military exercise under the auspices of the CSTO in the coming months, ahead of Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov’s visit to Russia on Monday. 4,000 troops from Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan are anticipated to participate in the drill.

According to Alexey Leonkov, a military expert for the respected Russian defence newspaper Arsenal of the Fatherland, the greatest threat in Afghanistan is IS, not the Taliban. Despite Moscow’s reservations about the Taliban’s terrorist background, he indicated that the Islamist group may alter its stance and assist in the formation of a more stable administration. “If the situation in the region deteriorates and Afghanistan adopts the black flag of the Islamic State, then that will become a problem for all countries bordering it and it will be necessary to wage full-scale military actions,” Leonkov said.

While China is busy with its misadventures in East Asia and trying to intimidate Taiwan, Russia has made its move under the leadership of Putin to make sure the Central Asian powers remain in Russia’s grasp.

Tags: Central AsiaChinaRussiaShort takes
ShareTweetSend
Abhyoday Sisodia

Abhyoday Sisodia

M.A. in East Asian Studies, Department of East Asian Studies, the University of Delhi, India. Deep interest in geopolitics, foreign policy and world affairs.

Also Read

Israel's Strike on Tehran's Evin Prison Raises Questions Amid Fragile Ceasefires (Pic credit:AP)

How Did Israel’s Strike on Evin Prison Impact Iran’s Nuclear Talks? and Who Was the Actual Target?

June 30, 2025
Trump and China Trade Wars (Picture Credit: Bhaskar English)

Trump’s Trade War vs. Economic Reality: U.S.-China Ties Remain Vital

June 30, 2025
“Iran has the knowledge and industrial capacity to rebuild nuclear program within months”: International Atomic Agency

“Iran has the knowledge and industrial capacity to rebuild nuclear program within months”: International Atomic Agency

June 30, 2025
“Return the money Zelensky”, Mass protests in Paris demand end of France military aid for Ukraine, calls to exit NATO

“Return the money Zelensky”, Mass protests in Paris demand end of France military aid for Ukraine, calls to exit NATO

June 30, 2025
Ukraine’s F-16 Downed in Russian Strike as NATO Increases Air Patrols

Russia Shoots Down Ukrainian F-16 in Largest Air Assault Yet, NATO Increases Air Patrols in Response

June 30, 2025
Trump and End of Nuclear Transparency in Iran (Picture Credit: AXIOS)

Did Trump Trigger the End of Nuclear Transparency in Iran?

June 28, 2025
Youtube Twitter Facebook
TFIGlobalTFIGlobal
Right Arm. Round the World. FAST.
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • TFIPOST – English
  • TFIPOST हिन्दी
  • Careers
  • Brand Partnerships
  • Terms of use
  • Privacy Policy

©2025 - TFI MEDIA PRIVATE LIMITED

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In

Add New Playlist

No Result
View All Result
  • Indo-Pacific
  • Americas
  • Canada
  • Indian Subcontinent
  • West Asia
  • Europe
  • Africa
  • The Caribbean
TFIPOST English
TFIPOST हिन्दी

©2025 - TFI MEDIA PRIVATE LIMITED

This website uses cookies. By continuing to use this website you are giving consent to cookies being used. View our Privacy and Cookie Policy.