Rising China, Resurgent Russia and their Strategic Co-opetition in Central Asia

Is China rising and whether Russia should worry about its growth at the regional and systemic levels? This study tries to answer these questions while also looking at the specific strategies that they are pursuing to deal with the Central Asian Republics and other great powers therein – the Neo-New Great Game. It specifically looks at why and how has Russia allowed China to enter into its exclusive sphere of influence or interest. The study finds that Russia and China are pursuing a policy of co-opetition in Central Asia – cooperation and competition at the same time. The study also touches upon the United States’ efforts to influence the Central Asian chessboard and the Sino-Russian reaction to these overtures.