February 10, 2026
BNE Intellinews - Central Asian leaders work to keep dream of linking to South Asian markets and seaports on track
Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan’s leaders last week both paid visits to Pakistan, with trade and connectivity right at the top of their agendas.
When it comes to land-linking landlocked Central Asia with the big markets and seaports of South Asia, there is, of course, the not-so-small obstacle of Afghanistan to negotiate. So for Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, the development of routes through Afghanistan to Pakistan remains an essential objective.
The Central Asian states have enjoyed good relations with Pakistan for many years. What’s more, until recently, each time Central Asian-Pakistani relations required the participation of Afghanistan, it was Central Asia that looked to Pakistan to take the lead in negotiations with their immediate neighbour.
Read the full article on BNE Intellinews.
Bruce Pannier is a Senior Fellow at the Turan Research Center.