ABSTRACT
The Central Asian presidents made positive references to what they saw as an Asian model, lauding the economic dynamism of Asian countries, but also their political regimes and their allegedly non-Westernized cultural identity. If Japan has been the main aid donor to Central Asia until the EU bypassed it, Central Asia is now looking toward South Korea and Malaysia as new reliable long-term partners, and potential models to emulate. The Indian elites perceive their neighborhood in terms of widening concentric circles, and divide their Asian interests into different groups in South Asia, East Asia, West Asia, and Central Asia. Despite the Geopolitical Environment declarations of intent in favor of Central Asia, Indian foreign policy remains focused on more traditional issues: renewed tensions with Pakistan; geopolitical rapprochement with China; and building a special partnership with the United States and the European Union. In Uzbekistan, the Korea National Oil Corporation and Korea Gas Corporation (KOGAS) are exploring and exploiting several fields.
