Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — On the eve of the first meeting of the Termez Dialogue on Connectivity between Central and South Asia, set to begin on May 19 in Termez, Sangar Paikar, the host of the “Afghan Eye” podcast, commented on the importance of enhancing connectivity and Uzbekistan’s role in this process. The forum’s theme is “Creating a Shared Space of Peace, Friendship, and Prosperity.”

According to him, in the current geopolitical environment, this forum becomes a key platform for cooperation. Strengthening interregional ties not only increases resilience to global challenges but also helps build trust, which holds strategic significance. The dialogue also establishes an effective platform for advancing mutually beneficial initiatives. Such interaction is a necessary condition for ensuring stability and security in the region.

The expert notes that all the necessary prerequisites for promoting connectivity have already been created. In particular, positive trends in Central Asia—consolidation and strengthening of good-neighborly relations—have contributed to shaping a more cohesive and predictable partner for South Asia. The progress achieved at the intraregional level inspires confidence in the prospects of interregional cooperation. “The established mechanisms of cooperation in Central Asia can also be applied to South Asia,” Sangar Paikar asserts.

The analyst especially highlights Uzbekistan’s key role in strengthening connectivity between the regions. In his view, Tashkent’s active diplomacy and clear strategic vision create unique conditions for the development of interregional cooperation. “Uzbekistan has already laid a solid conceptual and political foundation through its initiatives. At the same time, the economic benefits from expanding ties continue to increase interest in partnership,” notes the Afghan expert.

He also emphasizes Afghanistan’s crucial role in strengthening ties between Central and South Asia. “Thanks to its strategic geographic location, Afghanistan serves as a natural link between the regions and has significant potential to become a key transit hub,” the analyst points out. At the same time, he stresses that realizing this potential requires systematic cooperation with all countries in the region.

Large-scale infrastructure projects, such as the CASA-1000 power transmission line and the Trans-Afghan transport corridor, acquire special importance in this context. According to the expert, their implementation could become a catalyst for regional development. These initiatives open significant opportunities: they strengthen political and economic ties, enhance regional stability, ensure energy and transport security, and promote Afghanistan’s integration into regional processes. In his opinion, these projects will create a solid foundation for long-term mutually beneficial cooperation across the macro-region.

Sangar Paikar also underscores that there is substantial untapped economic potential between Central and South Asia, which requires concrete actions to unlock. Key steps in this regard, he says, should include the development of transport infrastructure with harmonized standards, reduction of trade barriers, stimulation of mutual investments, strengthening of financial links, and establishment of direct contacts between enterprises. It is also important to focus on sectors with high potential such as energy, agriculture, textile industry, tourism, and the digital economy.

In conclusion, the expert highlights the role of Termez in strengthening ties between Central and South Asia. “The rich historical and cultural heritage of Termez serves as an important factor of connectivity, primarily in an ideological and symbolic sense,” the Afghan commentator notes. “The city’s historical role as a center of intercivilizational dialogue and a hub of the Great Silk Road creates a powerful unifying narrative that helps form a shared identity.”