Uzbekistan is one of the world’s rare double landlocked countries. The other is Liechtenstein. In other words, it is a landlocked state and all its neighbours are also landlocked states. Therefore, it should not be forgotten that in order for Uzbekistan to reach open seas and oceans (taking into account that the Caspian Sea, i.e. the Caspian Water Mass, is a closed inland sea), it must pass through the borders of not only its neighbouring countries, but also the neighbours of its landlocked neighbours, in order to access the nearest export ports through them.
Although the lack of access to the sea is generally considered a structural disadvantage in classical geopolitical approaches, this situation takes on a different meaning when evaluated from the Heartland perspective (the heart, centre or most important place of a region). In MacKinder’s work on this subject, being located at the centre of many different geographical regions and having access to them is an advantage.[1] For Uzbekistan, located at the heart of Eurasia, this geographical feature can be transformed from a vulnerability or disadvantage into a geostrategic advantage with the right strategies.
During the presidency of Mr. Shavkat Mirziyoyev, Uzbekistan has pursued a foreign policy that prioritises good relations with the region and its neighbours, greater integration with international markets, and trade corridors through various connectivity projects. President Mirziyoyev’s foreign economic policy during his presidency offers a vision that values diplomacy and economic cooperation. Uzbekistan is undergoing a remarkable transformation towards becoming a regional hub through different economic cooperations, trade partners and balanced partnerships. In fact, throughout history, the empire of Emir Timur, which may have inspired Mackinder’s Heartland theory, was located at the very heart of trade routes. Similarly today, there is a vision and determination to leverage Uzbekistan’s position at the heart of various corridors and trade routes, namely the revived Silk Road route.
According to World Bank data, Uzbekistan’s population of 36.4 million in 2024 is steadily increasing, [2] and official figures indicate that the permanent resident population in Uzbekistan exceeded 37.5 million in 2025. [3] This means that the population grew by over one million in the single year between 2024 and 2025. The growing population, young demographic structure and industrialisation goals make the country well-suited to reviving modern versions of the Silk Road. In fact, it makes this somewhat of a necessity. This also makes connectivity a preferred strategy for Uzbekistan. In this process, Uzbekistan is a key strategic partner for Türkiye in terms of the Middle Corridor project objectives and because it is the most populous member country of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS) after Türkiye. [4] Türkiye stands out as a strategic, complementary and reliable partner for Uzbekistan in diversifying its trade routes.
From Landlocked Disadvantage to ‘Heartland’ Advantage
In geopolitical literature, access to the sea has historically been considered a decisive factor in terms of economic development, trade volume and power projection. In contrast, Halford Mackinder’s Heartland Theory argues that land dominance and continental centres can be just as decisive in global power balances as sea power. In this context, Uzbekistan’s double landlocked status is not a disadvantage; rather, it can be viewed as a result of its strategic location at the heart of Eurasia. With its geography situated between China, Russia, South Asia, the Middle East and the Caspian basin, Uzbekistan has historically been at the heart of the Silk Road. Today, Uzbekistan is one of the countries that stands to benefit most from the revitalisation of this historical legacy through modern connectivity projects and contemporary trade networks.
However, Uzbekistan’s steadily growing population, and consequently its young population and young workforce, make economic liberalisation and connectivity projects essential in a sense. Uzbekistan’s rapidly growing population and young workforce potential increase the pressure to create employment and the need for export-driven economic growth. The lack of direct access to the sea is directing the country towards investing simultaneously in multiple trade and transport corridors without being dependent on a single route. In this context, Central Asia-China connections, westward routes via the Caspian Sea, and alternative routes extending to South Asia and the Middle East form the cornerstones of Uzbekistan’s economic and geopolitical expansion. The fundamental logic behind Uzbekistan’s efforts to maintain good relations with Russia and China on the one hand, and with Türkiye and the European Union (EU) on the other, is this diversification approach.
Therefore, connectivity is essential for Uzbekistan both as an infrastructural preference and in terms of economic sustainability, foreign policy manoeuvring space, and gaining regional influence. With a route diversification strategy, potential economic vulnerabilities and supply chain disruption risks can be minimised.
Balanced and Multifaceted Opening Under Mirziyoyev
The administration of Mr Shavkat Mirziyoyev, President of Uzbekistan, represents a clear vision in Uzbekistan’s foreign policy. This multifaceted approach is based on a multi-partner and balanced foreign policy understanding that is not overly dependent on any single major power. Multifaceted and balanced diplomacy does not mean abandoning anyone. On the contrary, it means developing new partnerships with new friends while strengthening ties with old friends.
This multilateral vision, centred on trade, investment, transport and logistics, prioritises multifaceted good relations and balanced ties.[5] It aims to transform Uzbekistan from merely a transit country into a production, distribution and trade hub. [6] Furthermore, great importance is attached to developing the country’s potential as a service provider in both tourism and various information and technology sectors. This situation can be seen as an indication that science diplomacy[7] and technological cooperation will be important in the coming years, beyond just trade in goods and services between Türkiye and Central Asian countries.
The corridor diplomacy developed within this framework is materialising through balanced relations established with regional and non-regional partners, including Türkiye. The Mirziyoyev administration’s approach of evaluating different routes simultaneously gives Uzbekistan geopolitical flexibility and strengthens the country’s strategic autonomy.
The Modernisation of the Silk Road and the Importance of the Middle Corridor
Today, the Silk Road is more than a historical metaphor; it is at the centre of discussions on energy security, logistical efficiency, digital infrastructure and the resilience of global supply chains. [8] The Belt and Road Initiative, spearheaded by China, is perhaps the most well-known of the initiatives highlighting the importance of reviving this New Silk Road. In this context, the Middle Corridor is not merely an alternative for Uzbekistan, but a strategic necessity. Stronger integration into the Middle Corridor shortens transit times, reduces trade costs, and increases Uzbekistan’s visibility in global supply chains. [9]
At this point, Türkiye is in a position to serve as a secure and stable gateway for Uzbekistan to the West, both due to its geographical location and its political and diplomatic capacity. The strategic cooperation between Türkiye and Uzbekistan, while centred on Central Asia and the Turkic States, can be said to be based on ‘strategic complementarity’ in many areas.[10] Relations between Türkiye and Uzbekistan go beyond the traditional bilateral trade approach, producing strategic complementarity in areas such as logistics, transport, energy, industry, education and human capital. [11] Türkiye’s Middle Corridor vision largely coincides with Uzbekistan’s connectivity needs. This makes the two countries partners that strengthen each other rather than competitors.
Conclusion
The example of Uzbekistan clearly demonstrates that a landlocked position, traditionally viewed as a disadvantage in classical geopolitics, can be transformed into an advantage through 21st-century connectivity projects (as in the heartland theory). The balanced, multi-faceted and corridor-focused policy pursued under Mirziyoyev’s leadership is repositioning Uzbekistan at the heart of Eurasia. In today’s world, power is measured not only by military capacity but also by the ability to direct trade flows, shape corridors and generate connectivity. From this perspective, Uzbekistan is progressing towards becoming an active geo-economic hub of the Heartland.
[1] Diriöz, A. O. & Alımlı, K. (2020). “Klasik jeopolitik yaklaşımlar üzerinden Rusya’nın Suriye politikaları”. Cappadocia Journal of Area Studies, 2(2), 104-126. https://doi.org/10.38154/cjas.47.
[2] Dünya Bankası (2026), World Bank Data, Total Population of Uzbekistan https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SP.POP.TOTL?locations=UZ, (Date Accessed: 20.01.2026).
[3] Özbekistan Mission to UN Geneva. http://uzbekistan-geneva.ch/the-permanent-population-of-uzbekistan-has-exceeded-37-5-million.html, (Date Accessed: 20.01.2026).
[4] TRT Avaz, Mirziyoyev ve Orta Koridor.
https://www.trtavaz.com.tr/haber/tur/turkistandan/ozbekistan-cumhurbaskani-mirziyoyev-orta-koridorun-imkanlarinin-genisletilmes, (Date Accessed: 20.01.2026).
[5] Toktogulov, B., Uzbekistan’s Foreign Policy under Mirziyoyev, Eurasian Research Journal.
https://dergipark.org.tr/tr/download/article-file/2224459, (Date Accessed: 20.01.2026).
[6] Kocatepe, Ö. F., Mirziyoyev Döneminde Dış Politika Değişimi ve Etkileri.
https://dergipark.org.tr/en/pub/tubar/issue/78126/1280986, (Date Accessed: 20.01.2026).
[7] Güzel, M. & Erol, M. S. (2019). “Türkiye İle Türk Cumhuriyetleri Arasındaki İlişkilerin Bilim Diplomasisi Boyutu”. Bölgesel Araştırmalar Dergisi, 3(1), 12–49.
[8] Dadabaev, T., Connectivity, Energy, and Transportation in Uzbekistan’s Strategy.
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/344359460, (Date Accessed: 20.01.2026).
[9] Eurasianet, Uzbekistan unveils plan to upgrade Middle Corridor trade.
https://eurasianet.org/uzbekistan-unveils-plan-to-upgrade-middle-corridor-trade, (Date Accessed: 20.01.2026).
[10] Central Asia’s Strategic Autonomy in the New Heartland.
https://reference-global.com/download/article/10.2478/ecdip-2025-0013.pdf, (Date Accessed: 20.01.2026).
[11] T.C. Cumhurbaşkanlığı İletişim Başkanlığı, Türkiye–Özbekistan Anlaşmaları.
https://www.iletisim.gov.tr, (Date Accessed: 20.01.2026).
