Central Asia: Geopolitics, Security and Stability

Throughout history, Central Asia has served as an important strategic link between the East and the West. This book locates Central Asia within the broader geopolitics of the Eurasian region, which has witnessed many significant shifts, conflicts and events, while tracing its strategic importance.

The book looks at the relations between the Central Asian states and major external powers and shows how it has kept away from the so-called New Great Game. It evaluates the roles of major powers such as Russia, the United States, China, Iran and Turkey, as well as India and its ’Silk Road’ strategy. It also compares the regional geopolitics of Central Asia with its neighbour Caucasus. The author highlights how, despite limited interstate cooperation, the region has balanced foreign powers and has largely prevented conflicts, thereby enjoying greater strategic autonomy in dealing with other countries. This new revised edition with additional chapters explores new developments, the Russia-Ukraine war and the future of Central Asian geopolitics.

The book will benefit scholars and researchers of international relations, political and strategic studies, area studies and Central Asian studies.

Ajay Patnaik was Professor at the Centre for Russian and Central Asian Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), New Delhi, India. He was also the Dean of the School of International Studies, JNU. He has authored four books: Central Asia. Geopolitics, security and stability (2016), Nations, Minorities and States in Central Asia (2003), Central Asia Between Modernity and Tradition (1995) and Perestroika and Women Labour Force in Soviet Central Asia (1989). He was also Executive Editor of the journal Contemporary Central Asia.