Abstract
Russia and China surrounding Eurasia, realizing Halford Mackinder‘s Heartland theory by
integrating the Eurasian landmass. Economic, political and strategic complementarities between
Russia and China plus geography are the integrative forces compelling both the powers to
accommodate each other‘s interests and provide indispensable benefits to each other in the
context of Eurasian integration. By developing both the components of cross border connectivity
infrastructure i.e. hardware (Roads, Railways, Pipelines, Ports) as well as software
(harmonization and coordination of policies, regulations) the dyad is turning the 21st Century
into ―Eurasian Century‖. Historically, with the inventions of maritime (Sea lanes of
Communication) transportation, the power shifted to Sea powers(West) as they controlled the
main transportation routes. The development and hence control over the transportation routes
over Eurasia will result into a power shift from Sea powers to land powers (Russia & China).
Therefore the stakes are high for both the continental powers in integrating Eurasia. One is
World‘s largest energy producer while the other is largest energy consumer. All this mean a
permanent need for each other and long-term engagement for at least the rest of 21st century.
This complementarily between Russia and China is also turning the heartland i.e. landlocked
geography of Central Asian Republics into a blessing for these republics as opposed to the
landlocked Afghanistan for which its geography turned to be a curse. Both consider Central Asia
as their backyard and therefore unanimous on keeping the backyard stable and developed.
Prof. Shabir Ahmad Khan. (2021) Sino-Russian Convergence on Eurasian Integration: Understanding the Long-Term Engagement, South Asian Studies, Volume-36, Issue-1.
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