The Rise of China in Central Asia: The New Silk Road Diplomacy

China's relationship with Central Asia has grown manifold since the foundation of Shanghai Five in 1996, which in June 2001 became the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation. The impetus to the relationship has further been accentuated when China-Russia friendship treaty was signed in July 2001. The US-led war in Afghanistan against Taliban and Al-Qaeda has yet again cemented Chinese position in Central Asia, and the recently concluded Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) has undeniably dramatically underscored the strategic value of Central Asia to the west and has opened up possibilities for Chinese security, political and economic interests. Geostrategically enmeshed with Central Asia, China will remain an integral and increasingly influential player in Central Asia. This research paper contextualises China's emergence and interests in Central Asia discarding the much talked about great game thesis and asserts by analysing the rise of China in the region as an unmatched and unchallenged power which has been testified once again with the recent BRI of Beijing.