Russia and USA competition in the central Asian Republics

Abstract

Central Asia has vital geo-economic, geo-political and geo-strategic location in the world. In the past, this region was the part of the USSR. These republics got independence from the Soviet Union in 1991. This region has abundance of untapped natural resources. All the major powers including the Russia, USA, China and European countries have been trying to build cordial relations with these republics in order to increase their sphere of influence on the one hand and to utilize their energy resources on the other hand. The purpose of this study is to highlights the role as well as competition between the Russia and the USA in the Central Asian region. Both states have been maneuvering for geo- economic, geo-political and geo-strategic interests and hence containing each other. Qualitative research methodology along with explanatory and interpretive approaches is used in this study. Both primary and secondary sources for data collection are also used in it.