Uzbekistan and Southeast Asia: Exploring the Opportunities for Strengthening Relations

Abstract

Uzbekistan-Southeast Asia relations is an underexplored research topic, despite the growing significance of both Central Asia and Southeast Asia in world affairs. Uzbekistan lies at the heart of Central Asia, bordering all the four other Central Asian states, and has the largest population and thus largest potential market in Central Asia. This article examines the opportunities for strengthening relations between Uzbekistan and Southeast Asian countries, and also with the Association for Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). It particularly looks at how Southeast Asia can be alternative economic partners for Uzbekistan in its attempt to diversify foreign relations and modernize the country. This article firstly examines Uzbekistan’s foreign policy, particularly its attempts to diversify relations and economic partners to enhance its strategic space and flexibility and how Uzbekistan views relations with key countries in Southeast Asia as opportunities for doing so. Secondly, it looks at how Southeast Asia sees opportunities in Uzbekistan which is potentially the largest market in the region, centrally located with good potential connectivity, including with South Asia, and has a well-developed industrial base. It also has a more open and engaging foreign policy under President Shavkat Mirziyoyev. Lastly, it examines ways to further strengthen relations by arguing that both sides should also view each other through a regional lens and work towards forging region-to-region relations, thereby enhancing greater economic cooperation potential.