THE EVOLUTION OF UZBEKISTAN’S FOREIGN POLICY AFTER 2016: BALANCING BETWEEN NEIGHBORING STATES AND GLOBAL ACTORS

Abstract

Since 2016, the political, economic, and social reforms implemented in the Republic of Uzbekistan have also led to fundamental shifts in the country’s foreign policy. This scholarly article provides a detailed analytical overview of Uzbekistan’s new foreign policy strategy, the sharp improvement of diplomatic relations with neighboring states, the strengthening of regional integration, the advancement of mutually beneficial cooperation with global actors — the United States, Russia, China, the European Union, Turkey, and South Korea — and the formation of a balanced foreign policy within these dynamic processes.After Shavkat Mirziyoyev assumed the presidency, Uzbekistan reconsidered the core principles of its foreign policy, resulting in the emergence of a new diplomatic model for the “New Uzbekistan,” based on openness, readiness for dialogue, cooperation, confidence-building, responsible engagement, and pragmatic interests. During this period, Uzbekistan’s relations not only with neighboring countries but also with global powers gained new meaning. In particular, regional meetings and summits initiated by Uzbekistan in Central Asia contributed significantly to strengthening stability.This article examines the evolution of Uzbekistan’s foreign policy between 2016 and 2025 from a scholarly perspective. The study provides an in-depth analysis of the differences between the country’s historical diplomatic trajectory and the activities of contemporary diplomats, the main determinants of foreign policy, the impact of domestic reforms on international relations, and strategies related to regional security. Special emphasis is placed on the fact that principles such as “zero problems with neighbors,” “multi-vector foreign policy,” “open economy,” “favorable environment for international investment,” and “global diplomatic activism” have become central to the new political paradigm, which carries significant academic importance.