DID Press: US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Uzbekistan’s Foreign Minister Bakhtiyor Saidov have discussed expanding strategic cooperation between the two countries, particularly in infrastructure, space technology and critical minerals.
Rubio emphasised that Washington and Tashkent were seeking to strengthen prosperity and development in both countries and across the region through mutual cooperation.
In a post on the social media platform X, Rubio highlighted the importance of expanding bilateral ties. The talks come as Central Asia has once again emerged as an arena of competition among major powers seeking to expand their political, economic and strategic influence.
Since the collapse of the Soviet Union, Uzbekistan has remained within Russia’s traditional sphere of influence. Moscow continues to wield considerable influence across Central Asia through economic relations, energy ties, labour migration and historical connections. However, Tashkent has increasingly sought to diversify its foreign relations and avoid excessive dependence on any single power.
Analysts view expanding US cooperation with Uzbekistan as part of Washington’s broader geopolitical competition with Russia and China over access to mineral resources, regional markets and strategically important routes across Central Asia.
In this context, Washington’s focus on infrastructure, space technology and critical minerals extends beyond economic interests. Such cooperation could strengthen the United States’ long-term presence in the region while giving Central Asian countries more options in their relations with major powers.
Rubio’s regional visit and meetings with Central Asian officials signal Washington’s efforts to consolidate its position in a region that Moscow continues to regard as an important part of its traditional sphere of influence.