Eldor Aripov: Located at the junction of Central South Asia, ancient Termez from time immemorial served as a “nodal point” of interregional connectivity

The first meeting of the Termez Dialogue on Interconnectedness between Central and South Asia began this morning in Termez on the topic “Building a common space of peace, friendship and prosperity.”

Making a welcoming speech, the director of the Institute for Strategic and Interregional Studies under the President of Uzbekistan (ISRS), Eldor Aripov, emphasized the symbolic nature of holding the forum in the city of Termez. “Located at the junction of Central South Asia, from time immemorial this ancient city served as a“nodal point”of interregional connectivity,” the expert noted.

He also added that Termez was a center of intercultural and religious dialogue, where the traditions of Zoroastrianism, Buddhism, Christianity and Islam were born and developed. The city was located between ancient states, such as the Greco-Bactrian and Kushan kingdoms, and reached its peak in the Temurid era, becoming a majortrade, craft and scientific and educational center.

Moreover, the expert noted, the ancient Northern trade route connecting India and Central Asia passed through Termez. Today, the city is actively modernizing and reviving its role as the southern gateway of Uzbekistan, once again becoming an important link between Central and South Asia.

“The rich historical heritage of Termez creates a solid basis for the formation of a single space of cooperation, opening up new strategic opportunities for common development,” he said.

Developing this idea, Eldor Aripov focused on the importance of holding the Termez dialogue. According to him, “in conditions of global instability, free and constructive dialogue based on respect and equal participation of all parties is more important than ever.”

Guided by this logic, the expert specified, in July 2021, on the initiative of the President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev, a high-level international conference “Central and South Asia: regional interconnectedness” was held. Challenges and opportunities”, and in 2022 the UN adopted a corresponding resolution. These steps laid the foundations for a new regional agenda based on cooperation and the revival of historical ties.

“Today, all the necessary conditions have been created for this,” Aripov noted. A strong consensus has formed in Central Asia regarding the joint deepening of interaction with South Asia, as evidenced by the support of the CASA-1000, TAPI and Trans-Afghan Corridor projects.

In addition, the director of ISMR indicated that Afghanistan is gradually transforming,seeks to live in peace and harmony with its environment. The country's interest in full integration into regional relations, including with Central Asia, opens up a historic chance to strengthen interconnectedness between the two regions.

Speaking about the interaction between Central and South Asia, Eldor Aripov noted that in recent years it has been developing steadily, with the economic agenda playing a key role in this process. At the end of last year, mutual trade turnover exceeded five billion dollars. However, according to him, these indicators remain rather modest and do not correspond to the enormous potential that the regions have.

In order to bring economic cooperation to a qualitatively new level, the expert considers it important to further simplify trade procedures, create a multi-option system of transport corridors and develop energy infrastructure.

Particular attention in this regard was paid to the strategic importance of the speedy implementation of the Trans-Afghan Corridor construction project. It was emphasized that its implementation will provide the countries of the region with the shortest access to the ports of the Indian Ocean, connecting South Asia with the markets of Central Asia, Russia, China and Europe."

The expert expressed the hope that the Termez dialogue will offer a new paradigm of relations, free from conflicts and confrontation, which will be based on the principle of cooperation for the benefit of regional prosperity.

In this context, concluding his speech, the director of ISRS cited the words of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev that “the historical and civilizational community of Central and South Asia, the coinciding interests of our countries and peoples is a solid foundation on which we can build a common prosperous future. It is time to realize that without strengthening cooperation and effective regional connectivity, we will not be able to overcome the challenges that our countries face today.”

We remind you that the first meeting of the Termez Dialogue on Connectivity between Central and South Asia on the topic “Building a common space of peace, friendship and prosperity” is being held in Termez from May 19 to 21.

The event was organized by ISMI, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Uzbekistan, the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

The forum brought together about 200 participants from Central and South Asia, Europe, the CIS countries, the Asia-Pacific region, America, and the Middle East. Among them are representatives of political and economic circles, business circles, financial institutions, international and regional organizations, as well as prominent experts from analytical and research centers around the world.