Russia’s Eurasia Policy: Central Asia and the Rise of China

P. 117–132.

Kapoor N.

The debate about Russian identity and the direction of its foreign policy has a long history. In the nineteenth century, this debate was between Slavophiles and Westernizers. The appointment of Yevgeny Primakov as the minister of foreign affairs in 1996 changed the pro-Western course of Russian policy, giving way to what has since been described as ‘pragmatic Eurasianism’. This entailed a focus on strengthening the non-Western vector of Russia’s external affairs in order to create a ‘balanced and diverse’ foreign policy. As the global order evolves, Russia has had to adjust to the emerging realities of the balance of power in Eurasia, of which Central Asia is a part, and is considered by the former superpower as coming within its ‘sphere of interests’. The centre of Eurasia is represented by ‘Central Asia, Russia, China, and Mongolia’ where ‘stability’ becomes vital for the members of the region.

Keywords: China, Central Asia, Russian Foreign Policy

In book

Transitions in Post-Soviet Eurasia: Polity, Identity and Strategic Choices

L.: Routledge India, 2021.