Abstract

Two important corridors from Central and South Asia, Belt and Road Initiatives (BRI) and China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) pass from two sides of Afghanistan's borders. In the north, Afghanistan received the first train from China at Hairatan on 07 September 2016; however, the train did not pass through the main route of BRI. In South Asia, we see further developments in the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor and changing its original route to Punjab. It seems Pakistan shows its reluctance to give connections to Afghanistan. There are several other economic initiatives such as Chabahar port, Turkey, and Kazakhs-tan Rail Road proposal, New American Silk Road. New American Silk Road with Chabahar and Lapis Lazuli corridors in Central Asia. With this understanding, there are more than three economic initiatives pass Central Asia as each of them has its own benefits for the region. However, these economic initiatives followed by different political will; concerns raised about changing these initiatives from a geo-economic mean to geo-political issue for the stakeholders. Stakeholders have not negotiated with each other; rather they have talked with states along their economic initiatives. Additionally, radicalism, terrorism, and separatism in this region have been the important source of competition. Appraisal of regional economic initiatives' opportunities and challenges, and looking for the ways forwarded that facilitate cooperation between stakeholders; thus, it is an important issue to discuss.

(Sayed Mahdi Munadi is a research fellow of Fudan University, China Institute of International Studies.)

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